Ngozi Fulani temporarily steps down as CEO of Sistah Space after race row

Ngozi Fulani has claimed Buckingham Palace did not apologise to her properly after Lady Susan Hussey asked her 'where are you really from?' - and revealed she is temporarily stepping down as CEO of her charity. 

Speaking to ITV's Good Morning Britain on International Women's Day, Ms Fulani revealed she would be taking leave of her role at Sistah Space - a charity which helps Afro-Caribbean women who have faced domestic abuse.

She says the organisation has suffered as a direct result of the row with Lady Susan - who was Queen Elizabeth II's most senior lady-in-waiting - and claims 'violence' has been directed towards her following the incident. 

'The service users and the community can't access us properly,' she said. 'This whole thing has cost us a fortune because we had to pay our own PR to stop the press from coming up, it was horrible.'

Ms Fulani met with Lady Susan in person in December to discuss the issue, but she today hit out at the Palace - which had publicly issued an official statement of apology after the incident.

She told GMB: 'Who are they apologising to? If you're sorry, tell me you're sorry, if you're not, it speaks for itself. If you have to ask somebody for an apology, it is not an apology.

Lady Susan Hussey (pictured) has returned to performing official duties for Princess Anne

Ngozi Fulani said she felt she suffered 'a form of abuse' during her encounter with Lady Susan, who repeatedly asked her where she was 'really from', despite her making clear she was British

'I'm just making the point so that everybody understands, I don't see what is so hard to say I'm sorry. 

'You sent me the invitation so you know how to find me. You know how to say sorry. 

'If you're sorry then say sorry, if you're not, I get it. 

'But when you make this apology to everybody, I don't know who you're apologising to.'

But she said she does not regret speaking out about what happened as she is 'about discussing and making aware violence against women and girls, and I'll go anywhere at any time to fight that cause.' 

Ms Fulani had accompanied a friend to a Buckingham Palace reception, hosted by the Queen Consort, to highlight violence against women and girls. 

She said Lady Susan repeatedly asked her where she was 'really from', despite her making clear she was British, during the event. 

Ms Fulani says she was left feeling 'violated' after Prince William's godmother 'interrogated' her. 

The former lady-in-waiting, who served the late Queen for six decades and was retained by the King in an honorary role, stepped down 'with immediate effect' in November amid a furious outcry after Ms Fulani tweeted about her experience at the event. 

Ms Fulani previously described her Buckingham Palace ordeal as a 'form of abuse'.

She also said Lady Susan moved her dreadlocks during the exchange so she could read her name badge.

'That's a no-no,' Miss Fulani said. 'I wouldn't put my hands in someone's hair, and culturally it's not appropriate.'

Ms Fulani appeared on Good Morning Britain today where she said she does not regret speaking out about what happened 

She hit out at the Palace and announced she has temporarily stepped down as CEO of Sistah Space 

Ms Fulani also dismissed suggestions Lady Hussey's comments were down to her age.

She previously told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: 'Are we saying that because of your age you can't be racist or you can't be inappropriate?

'If you invite people to an event, as I said, against domestic abuse, and there are people there from different demographics, I don't see the relevance of whether I'm British or not British. 

'You're trying to make me unwelcome in my own space.'

After Ms Fulani made a string of media appearances about the incident, she met with Lady Susan at Buckingham Palace in mid-December to discuss the issue. 

The Palace said following the meeting: 'At this meeting, filled with warmth and understanding, Lady Susan offered her sincere apologies for the comments that were made and the distress they caused to Ms Fulani.

'Lady Susan has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more about the issues in this area.

Buckingham Palace said following the meeting that Lady Susan 'has pledged to deepen her awareness of the sensitivities involved and is grateful for the opportunity to learn more'

'Ms Fulani, who has unfairly received the most appalling torrent of abuse on social media and elsewhere, has accepted this apology and appreciates that no malice was intended. 

'Both Ms Fulani and Lady Susan ask now that they be left in peace to rebuild their lives in the wake of an immensely distressing period for them both.

'They hope that their example shows a path to resolution can be found with kindness, co-operation and the condemnation of discrimination wherever it takes root.

'It is the wish of both parties that, at the end of the UN's 16 days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, attention can now return to the important work of Sistah Space in supporting women affected by domestic abuse.

'Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort and other members of the Royal Family have been kept fully informed and are pleased that both parties have reached this welcome outcome.'

MailOnline has contacted Buckingham Palace and Sistah Space for comment.