Hugh Grant defends Laurence Fox and says it’s ‘nonsense’ he has been ‘hounded for his opinions’ in since-deleted tweet

Fox is taking an ‘extended break’ from Twitter because of ‘cancel culture’

Ellie Harrison
Tuesday 25 February 2020 08:11 GMT
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Actor Laurence Fox says treatment of Meghan Markle is not racist

Hugh Grant sent a message of support to Laurence Fox on Monday night (24 February), saying he thought it was “nonsense” he had been “hounded" for his opinions in recent weeks.

Fox has been the subject of a social media backlash after his controversial comments on white privilege, the Meghan Markle race row and wokeness. Last night, he announced he would be taking an “extended break” from Twitter because of online bullying and “cancel culture”.

In a since-deleted tweet, Grant wrote: “Dear @LozzaFox I don’t think we agree on very much but it’s nonsense that you should be hounded for expressing your opinions. My love to your Dad.”

Fox’s father James, who is also an actor, starred with Grant in the Nineties films The Remains of the Day and Mickey Blue Eyes.

Announcing to his followers that he was leaving Twitter for a while, Fox said that following his infamous appearance on Question Time and the “ensuing hubbub”, he has had “nothing but support on the street” but he has been becoming “more and more depressed” from “some of the things said to me on these platforms”.

“I have found some of it very hard to process,” he said. “I think it’s important to stand up to bullies and that is why I have continued to do so.”

Fox explained that, despite his belief in the importance of free speech, he is “fearing for my future and my ability to provide financially for my children”, noting that actors’ union Equity called for people in the industry to denounce him.

“I believe that pushing people to the edge of their ability to remain emotionally ok through cancel culture can and does have deadly consequences,” wrote Fox. “I know that in order for me to be ok I have to turn this noise off for a while.”

Fox’s comments come amid the hashtag #BeKind trending on Twitter, with users encouraging each other to stop trolling people following the death of Caroline Flack.

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