Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Piers Morgan criticises Emily Ratajkowski for Instagramming naked photo to discuss Alabama abortion ban

Morgan says the model's message about the abortion ban was 'ruined' by the photo

Katie O'Malley
Friday 17 May 2019 12:59 BST
Comments
Alabama abortion bill: Protests as new law part of 'US-wide strategy to push abortion out of reach for all women'

Piers Morgan has criticised model Emily Ratajkowski for posting a naked photograph of herself to protest against the abortion ban in Alabama.

On Tuesday, the Senate passed a bill to ban nearly all abortions in nearly all circumstances, including rape and incest in the state. The bill means that those performing abortions would be committing a felony, punishable by 10 to 99 years in prison, although the law will take effect given that abortion is legal in the US.

In response, Ratajkowski took to social media platform to discuss the legislation.

On Thursday, the 27-year-old posted a naked photograph of herself in which she covers her breasts with her hand and has a flower placed between her legs.

“This week, 25 old white men voted to ban abortion in Alabama even in cases of incest and rape,” she captioned the post.

“These men in power are imposing their wills onto the bodies of women in order to uphold the patriarchy and perpetuate the industrial prison complex by preventing women of low economic opportunity the right to choose to not reproduce.

“The states trying to ban abortion are the states that have the highest proportions of black women living there. This is about class and race and is a direct attack on the fundamental human rights women in the US deserve and are protected by under Roe vs. Wade. Our bodies, our choice."

Hours later, Good Morning Britain Host Piers Morgan captioned a screenshot of Ratajkowski’s post and tweeted: “"Right message, ruined by such a dumb self-promoting photo."

Morgan’s response, which has since received over 3,000 “likes” and has divided public opinion with some Twitter users agreeing with his view that Ratajkowski is using the news of the ban to promote her career.

“Agreed, the photo is unnecessary,” one user tweeted.

“For once, I couldn’t agree more,” added another.

However, others have argued that the model has the autonomy to do what she wants with her body and that her post has increased awareness of the ban.

One Twitter user commented: "Well I'm glad I live in a part of the world where she has the freedom to do that if she wants without being stoned or send to prison for 25 years."

“But you're talking about it, aren't you? Mission accomplished by @emrata I'd say,” another added in reference to news of the ban.

This isn’t the first time Morgan has taken umbrage with Ratajkowski’s social media practice and appearance.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Earlier this month, the broadcaster criticised the model’s Met Gala dress and described her belly button as “weird”.

The comment follows years of feuding between the pair, fuelled by Morgan’s comments which have seen the star describing the model as a “global bimbo” and a “bad feminist”.

In light of the abortion ban in Alabam, several celebrities including Lady Gaga, Milla Jovovich and Jameela Jamil have taken to social media to voice their outrage over the ban, with actor Busy Phillips launching the hashtag #YouKnowMe to encourage women to share their own abortion stories

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in