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Christine Hamilton has been axed as an ambassador for two charities after she compared "sinister" burqas to KKK hoods.

Muscular Dystrophy UK and Balls to Cancer severed ties with the self-described "bonkers" UKIPper after she caused outrage with the comparison on Twitter .

Ms Hamilton, who is married to former Tory MP and now UKIP Welsh Assembly Member Neil, wrote the post as she waded into the row over Boris Johnson branding burqas "letterboxes".

She posted an image of Ku Klux Klansmen in white hoods with the caption: "If the burka is acceptable then presumably this is too?"

She later stood by the comparison, saying she wanted to "graphically" show how both garments could be perceived as "sinister".

(Image: Twitter) (Image: Twitter)

Ms Hamilton tweeted: "For heaven’s sake - no, I am not comparing Muslim women to KKK members and yes, thank you, I do know the difference. I was graphically illustrating how full facial cover can be sinister, which is how many people view the burka."

Ms Hamilton had described herself as an ambassador for Muscular Dystrophy UK and Balls to Cancer on her Twitter profile.

But she later deleted the references, admitting: "Clearly I have offended people.

"To avoid any embarrassment to the charities I named on my profile I have removed all reference to them."

Muscular Dystrophy UK tweeted late last night: "Christine Hamilton is no longer an ambassador of MDUK and all links between her and the charity have been severed."

The charity added: “Christine Hamilton’s recent tweet about the burka was made in a personal capacity and clearly does not reflect or in any way represent the views of Muscular Dystrophy UK.

"We believe in a diverse and inclusive society, respect for all and we oppose all forms of prejudice and discrimination.”

Mark Bates, co-founder of Balls to Cancer, sent a statement from the charity to the Mirror saying: "Unfortunately due to an inappropriate tweet published by Christine Hamilton we have had to ask her to stand down as an ambassador.

"The tweet was on her personal account and in no way the opinions of Balls to Cancer. We would wholeheartedly like to thank her for her support and her work helping get our charity into the public eye and helping us save more lives."

It came after Ms Hamilton faced fury for her comments. Journalist Fernando Duarte told her: "Are you mentally challenged or just a plain c***?"

One Twitter used told her: "Obviously not you f***ing t**t... how many Muslim ladies do you see stringing up Black people?"

Another user asked her: "These hoods are worn to protect murderers from the law. Are you likening Muslim women to such people?"

Journalist James Felton wrote: "Honestly Boris Johnson this is the Pandora’s box of racist fucking simpletons you’ve opened up.

"People who can’t distinguish between burkas and klan outfits now think their opinions are acceptable. Hope you’re happy with yourself you racist-enabling cretin."