Centrepoint cuts ties with Sharon Osbourne after support for far-right rally

By Jenny Garnsworthy, Press Association

Homelessness charity Centrepoint has said it has “no plans to work together in the future” with Sharon Osbourne after she expressed support for a rally being organised by Tommy Robinson.

The former The X Factor judge used her official Instagram account to leave a comment saying: “See you at the march” in response to a post on the social media site about the event planned for next month.

Osbourne, whose husband – Black Sabbath frontman Ozzy Osbourne – died last July aged 76, has previously supported Centrepoint on its Omaze campaign to raise money by encouraging the public to enter a sweepstake to win a luxury house.

A spokesman for Centrepoint said: “Sharon supported us on this campaign and, while she is referred to as an ambassador in that context, she was not an official ambassador for Centrepoint.

“We have no plans to work together in the future.

“Political activity like this runs counter to our values and our long history of supporting young people regardless of their background, religion or ethnicity.

“If we want young people to thrive in this country then we need to ensure our society continues to allow them to live without fear and to access the opportunities they need to start education or work and leave homelessness behind.”

The Unite the Kingdom rally is planned to take place in London on May 16, and is organised by right-wing activist Robinson, whose real name is Stephen Yaxley-Lennon.

Its previous protest in September was attended by between 110,000 and 150,000 people.