Sophie Corcoran challenging 10,000 Interns Foundation, which works with people from under-represented groups

An influencer is taking a charity that organises internships for black and minority ethnic people to court because they do not organise schemes for white people.

Sophie Corcoran, a GB News commentator, applied to a programme the 10,000 Interns Foundation was running with the Bar Council. She said she was “shocked to discover that the scheme is restricted to applicants of a particular racial background”.

The Guardian understands the internship charity has received a legal letter outlining Corcoran’s intent to sue, and on Wednesday responded. The suit is claiming that she has faced loss of employment opportunity as she is white, and discrimination under the basis of the Equality Act.

Corcoran said she had been “exploring a legal career” and therefore applied to the £14.80-an-hour internship scheme run by the 10,000 Interns Foundation programme and the Bar Council, but was rejected.