She has accused the the conservation organisation of plundering 'someone's personal privacy for commercial gain'.

Eastern Daily Press: Felbrigg Hall. Picture: �National Trust Images/Andrew ButlerFelbrigg Hall. Picture: �National Trust Images/Andrew Butler (Image: �National Trust Images/Andrew Butler)

The organisation charged with conserving one of North Norfolk's biggest visitor attractions has been accused of plundering its former owner's sexuality for commercial gain.

Outspoken newspaper critic Katie Hopkins has attacked the National Trust for revealing former Felbrigg Hall owner Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer was gay.

She also compared the Trust to a 'dog with Ebola' for threating to quarantine dissenters who refused to support its Prejudice and Pride campaign, which was launched to give visitors an insight into the private lives of its estates' former residents.

The former reality TV star, who is no stranger to controversy, has called for the National Trust to see sense and concentrate on keeping 'Britain's heritage for all our children to enjoy, regardless of their race, faith or sexuality'.

Eastern Daily Press: Robert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer at Felbrigg Hall. Picture: National Trust/Sue JamesRobert Wyndham Ketton-Cremer at Felbrigg Hall. Picture: National Trust/Sue James (Image: � National Trust / Sue James)

In a column for the Mail Online, Ms Hopkins said: 'At best, I would argue that to out someone's sexuality without their permission and without listening to the concerns of relatives, breaches the guardianship role the National Trust has been assigned.

'At worst, they have plundered someone's personal privacy for commercial gain. The Pride and Prejudice campaign is blatant marketeering designed to boost membership amongst the LGBT community and tap their remarkable spending power.

'Looking at my emails and Twitter feed, I fear they may cannibalise any gains with cancellations from those sickened by the treatment of the lovely volunteers and the disrespect accorded to the family of the owner.

'At another more sinister level, the imposition of specific values on the people working there has extended into the very opinions they are allowed to hold. This is positively Orwellian.'

This newspaper earlier revealed that volunteers at Felbrigg Hall, near Cromer, are being relegated to back office chores after they refused to wear badges supporting gay prejudice and pride badges in support of the campaign.

In a message to the National Trust, Ms Hopkins added: 'Do what you do, and do it well. Make nice old buildings available to the public, and keep Britain's heritage for all our children to enjoy, regardless of their race, faith or sexuality.'

Half a century after the partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, the conservation organisation says it is exploring its LGBTQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer) heritage.

Annabel Smith, Head of Volunteering & Participation Development at the National Trust said: 'All of our staff and volunteers sign up to our core ambition when they join us – we are an organisation that is for ever, for everyone. 'Relating specifically to the Prejudice and Pride programme, we do recognise that some volunteers may have conflicting, personal opinions.

'However, whilst volunteering for the National Trust, we do request and expect individuals to uphold the values of the organisation.'

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