Andrew Tate has responded after a court heard how his misogynistic social media content “fuelled” crossbow killer Kyle Clifford.
Kyle Clifford, 26, searched for Tate’s podcasts hours before he murdered his ex-girlfriend Louise Hunt, her mum Carol, and sister Hannah. Prosecutors said the former kickboxer’s promotion of “violent misogyny” had “fuelled” the vicious attack.
Clifford used the crossbow to kill Louise and her sister after plunging a 10inch butcher knife into their mother. In his penultimate act of cruelty, Clifford restrained Louise and subjected her to a three-hour “violent, sexual act of spite”, in which she was raped.
Self-professed misogynist Tate has now responded, calling Clifford an “idiot”. Tate told The Sun: “It’s a clown show. Anyone with a brain knows it’s completely unfair. I’m sure this idiot who did this disgusting act also listened to music. Do you blame the people who he was listening to the songs of? This is f***ing stupid, it’s a clown show.”
It comes after a solicitor representing four women suing Tate released a statement in response to the Clifford case. The woman say they were victims of sexual violence by Tate between 2013 and 2016. Tate denies the claims.
Solicitor Jennifer Sayles: “The fact that Kyle Clifford was watching Andrew Tate videos in the lead up to raping and killing his former partner, Louise Hunt, and killing Louise’s mother and sister is the devastating reality we are faced with as violent misogyny online rises.
“We can’t prevent or control every time a man does the unthinkable to a woman or girl in his life, but we can do things to decrease its likelihood. Starting with social media companies removing dangerous Tate content from their platforms. The UK accusers have called for immediate action from those that continue to platform Tate.”
In a statement released through McCue Jury & Partners, the women said: “Hearing that Kyle Clifford watched videos of Andrew Tate in the lead up to his murders of his ex-girlfriend, her mother and sister, is deeply upsetting to us, but sadly not surprising.
“This should be a wake-up call for all the social media companies who are continuing to platform Tate and his dangerous messages.
“These companies should take immediate steps to remove Andrew Tate from their platforms, rather than continue to reap enormous profits from his hateful content.
“Clifford’s case should be a warning to world leaders and all those who belittle the seriousness of allowing incitement of violence against women online fester. Our thoughts are with the Hunt family.”
Clifford was last week found guilty at Cambridge Crown Court of raping his ex-girlfriend Louise after he bound and gagged her at the family home. He previously admitted the murders.
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