Rachel Riley 'bursts into tears' at messages of support as Twitter trolls call for ‘boycott’ of Countdown presenter

Rachel Riley has received messages of support after being targeted by trolls online
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Rachel Riley has said she “burst into tears” as she read messages of support from fellow celebrities after being targeted over her comments on anti-Semitism.

The Countdown presenter thanked those who defended her as she faced a stream of abuse from online trolls and the hashtag #BoycottRachelRiley began trending on Twitter.

Comedian Katherine Ryan shared one of Ms Riley’s posts and said she “absolutely” stands with her against the “disgusting” anti-Semitism she and people of the Jewish faith experience.

Ms Riley replied: “Literally just burst into tears reading that. Thanks Katherine.”

Among other celebrities who spoke out in support of the Countdown mathematician was comedian David Baddiel. He wrote on Twitter: “[Ms Riley] is a member of an ethnic minority calling out racism vs that minority. For the crank left to start a #BoycottRachelRiley hashtag, something they'd never do to a member of any other minority, is just an example of how, as far as they're concerned, #JewsDontCount.”

The Board of Deputies of British Jews said the hashtag “tells you just about everything you need to know about these people. Racists and racism-apologists, attacking a Jewish woman for speaking out against anti-Semitism.”

Women’s rights activist Aisha Ali-Khan wrote: “Whichever idiot started this hashtag should be ashamed of themselves! This is yet another example of a targeted campaign against a woman for speaking out.”

It comes after Ms Riley last month threatened to take legal action against online trolls who allegedly sent her abuse online.

The presenter said she suffered with “horrendous abuse” on Twitter from Labour followers, particularly over her comments on Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of alleged anti-Semitism in the party.

Responding to claims of anti-Semitism, the Labour party has previously said it is “committed to challenging and campaigning against it in all its forms."

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