Azealia Banks criticised for reportedly comparing LGBT community to ‘white, gay KKK’

The outspoken rapper also lashed out at British actress Alison Newman in a bizarre exchange

Azealia Banks performing at Reading Festival earlier this summer (Rex)

Azealia Banks has come under fire for reportedly comparing the LGBT community to the KKK in a tweet over the weekend.

Banks was heavily criticised on social media after reportedly publishing a tweet on Sunday, which read: “LGBT community are like the gay white KKK’s. Get some pink hoods and unicorns and rally down rodeo drive."

The tweet no longer exists on her account, but news outlets and blogs published screenshots purporting to show it in full.

The reported comments came amid a fallout over footage published by TMZ allegedly showing her shouting a homophobic slur at a flight attendant. Banks defended her language by saying she is bisexual and her friends and family are LGBT.

The Broke with Expensive Taste rapper then became embroiled in an argument with the Eastenders actress Alison Newman. Newman branded her an “unfathomable idiot” over her post, to which Banks responded: “Botox those frown line. Juvederm those lips. Get a tan. Yikes!”

The tweets continued to gather attention in the British media throughout Monday morning because of the exchange between Newman and Banks, prompting Banks to publish more disparaging comments about Newman's appearance.

In a series of unrepentant posts on Sunday afternoon, Banks appeared to defend the controversial LGBT tweets, writing: “You guys gave me so much power this weekend!!! All I had to do was say one word and I moved a whole community. What weaklings! If I am to be a part of an LGBT community I want to be in it with people who aren't so weak or so easily moved ya [sic] know.”

The Independent has contacted a representative for Banks for comment.