Hi, Sali Hughes here. A member of my FB group told me about this.
To be clear, I did not accuse anyone who disagrees with India of being 'a troll'. I was referring very specifically to the tweeter who made accusations that India was somehow ashamed of her Pakistani mother and that this had prompted her to change her name. There are some entries here that echo this sentiment. I considered it to be trolling because it's horribly personal and mean and completely untrue. India has spoken about her mother publicly very often and is extremely open and proud of both her family and her ethnic origin. She has also been open about the reasons for changing her name which are personal, much less sinister than some of you seem to think, and very much her own business (by the way, there's no cover up - her real name is all over the internet). I myself am from a blended family - as I'm sure are many of you - and I think it's unkind to start speculating on why someone might carry their stepfather's name.
As for Liz Jones, my feelings are irrelevant. Was India's outburst warranted, or wrong? It's completely fair game that you all have an opinion and a right to express it. But at least Liz and India have known each other for a very long time and India's outburst came after umpteen references by Liz Jones to India's personal life in her column. Whether she was right to or not to tweet it is one thing, that doesn't change the emotions behind her actions, which are in my view, completely understandable.
I find it extremely ironic that this is a thread made up of very many insulting comments towards someone whose perceived crime is being 'bitchy' on a public forum. Extraordinarily hypocritical. Insulting another mum because you think she's too heavy? REALLY? Come on. And as for hating on people for being middle class, it's just too ridiculous. Accusing her friends of being scared of her? Based on what? We are grown women for goodness' sake. It's nice to hear some support for India here, as well as some disagreement, but some of these comments are just poisonous, mean spirited and without any understanding of the situation with Liz Jones.
If you think it's unreasonable or precious of me to come on here and defend someone I love, I'm afraid I make no apologies for it. India is an extremely kind person, a loyal and caring friend and a fantastic mother (and no, not remotely snobby) who is completely unrecognisable in many of these posts. Journalist or not, I think if you read such horrible things about someone you care deeply about, then I suspect most of you would say something.
As for the insult directed at me about my job. Jesus - we're laughing at women for writing about beauty now? The commenter's shameless spite and sexism is embarrassing.
Sali