Katie Hopkins is a vile person. While some champion her hard-hitting comments, many more feel victimised, abused and bullied by her views. The cruelty of her words rarely resonate with the public, and she uses controversy to maintain some elements of a media ‘career’. So when the columnist was invited to a debate ‘Does the Welfare State have a place in 2015?’ at Brunel University this week, students were understandably upset. A place that is meant to encourage acceptance, understanding and intelligence was about to host a woman who fails to understand basic human rights was too much for the student body to take… So they gave Hopkins the reception she deserves. Students at Brunel University filled the theatre for the debate, and when Hopkins started talking they stood and turned their backs to her. The students then filed out of the room as part of a mass stage walkout. Speaking to The Independent, President of Brunel’s student union Ali Milani condemned Hopkins as the “physical manifestation of online trolls” adding: “The inclusion of Ms Hopkins has been met with widespread outcry from the student body and the Students’ Union. “It is important to note that the conversation at no point has been about banning Ms Hopkins from speaking on campus, or denying her right to speak. It is instead about saying it is distasteful and incongruous for our University, as part of a 50th celebration event, to provide a platform to someone who adds nothing to the intellectual or academic discourse; and an individual who publicly utters such overtly bigoted views.”