Brussels airport
A victim receives first aid near Maalbeek metro station Emmanuel Dunand/ AFP

Katie Hopkins has received widespread criticism after she used the Brussels attack to justify why Britain should leave the European Union. Hopkins' controversial comment came a few hours after Brussels was hit by three explosions, which caused multiple deaths at Zaventem International Airport and Maalbeek Metro Station.

Hopkins took to Twitter to rant about the terrorist attacks, accusing German Chancellor Angela Merkel of causing them. The Daily Mail columnist also lashed out at Channel 4, who she mockingly claimed are already searching for a Muslim to speak about "the religion of peace" on the news.

Hopkins posted on Twitter: "Next time you hear someone say we are safer IN the EU – remember Brussels. Seen as the heart of Europe, it is now jihadi central. Every one of you who said refugees are welcome, if you said 'let them in'. You are responsible for Brussels. And you still can't see."

While a select few appeared to agree with Hopkins, the majority of people on Twitter hit back at the controversial comments. Some reminded her about the 7/7 bombings and the fact that Europe was not undergoing the refugee crisis when those attacks took place in London.

Many also warned Hopkins that now was not the time to make political statements about the Brexit and compared her to Telegraph columnist Allison Pearson, who also tweeted that the Brussel attacks were a reason for Britain to leave the EU.

Allison Pearson was also trending across the UK in the aftermath of the attacks due to her controversial Brexit tweet, drawing comdenation from the likes of Owen Jones and MEP Alyn Smith. One Twitter user warned Hopkins: "You're as bad as Allison Pearson. This is not a time for political posturing. Would make no difference in or out."

Others took to Twitter to question Hopkins on whether she was aware of the reality of the attacks: "Is there evidence that these people are actually refugees or are you just tarnishing with the same brush once again?"