JESSICA SIMPSON - SIMPSON SLAMMED FOR SAFARI

NEWLYWEDS star JESSICA SIMPSON is facing a barrage of criticism from humanitarian agencies after she allegedly interrupted a 10-day charity visit to Kenya with a $1,500 (GBP833) safari, despite insisting she was too ill to visit local children.

The singer reportedly spent just two days with Operation Smile - a charity repairing facial deformities in children - before embarking on a recreational trip of the same length in the Masai Mara National Reserve last week (begs31OCT05).

A representative for the charity says, "Jessica got sick, like people do, and couldn't get out of bed."

But the excuse has been challenged by a hotel insider who alleges, "Simpson was not ill, no doctor was called out to see her."

Referring to the safari, an Operation Smile spokesperson says, "It was scheduled downtime."

The reality TV star's trip is thought to have cost a staggering $12,500 (GBP6,944).