Emma Watson is facing online backlash after claiming “some of the best feminists I have encountered are men”.

The Harry Potter star launched the HeForShe campaign, which aims to promote gender equality, at the UN last September, and while she's been inundated with support ever since outlining her plans - her recent comments have been hit with criticism by some.

Speaking to the UK's The Guardian newspaper this week, she said: "Women are just as guilty of discriminating against women.

"Some of the best feminists I have encountered are men, like Steve Chbosky who directed me in The Perks of Being a Wallflower, and director James Ponsoldt who I am working with at the moment [on The Circle]. Some women can be incredibly prejudiced against other women!"

(Image: HeForShe/Youtube)

While she's once again gained support from many, others have criticised her views.

In fact, some social media users have even accused her of trying to seek male approval.

One Twitter user wrote: "Emma Watson is a problematic fav. I love her but she needs to educate herself and stop trying to get male approval with her white feminism."

One user wrote: "Emma Watson is not a feminist role model."

And another added: "WHY DOES EMMA WATSON ALWAYS MORE CONCERNED ABOUT MEN, SHE SPENDS ALL HER TIME CATERING TO MALE FEMINISTS."

Read more from her interview here.

We have contacted Emma's reps for comment.