Winston Marshall issued an apology after he received huge criticism for praising author Andy Ngo’s book detailing ANTIFA’s “radical plan to destroy democracy”.
The 33-year-old Mumford and Sons singer called the author “brave” and his book “important” which prompted an uproar from his Twitter followers.
“Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man,” he first posted in a comment, which has since been deleted.
After his fans accused him of “endorsing fascism”, Winston has since returned to say that he has now come to understand the “pain” he caused.
Winston Marshall, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford, and Ted Dwane of Mumford & Sons attend KROQ Absolut Almost Acoustic Christmas 2019
The musician will now be focusing on his “blind spots” and taking time away from the hugely-popular band to focus on himself.
“Over the past few days I have come to better understand the pain caused by the book I endorsed,” Winston said in a statement.
“I have offended not only a lot of people I don’t know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates and for that I am truly sorry.”
“For now, please know that I realise how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approvals of hateful, divisive behaviour,” the star continued.
Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford, Winston Marshall and Ted Dwane of Mumford & Sons attend the 2019 iHeartRadio Music Festival
He added: “I apologise, as this was not at all my intention.”
Andy Ngo, whose parents came to the US as Vietnamese refugees by boat, is an American conservative journalist, the editor-at-large of a Canadian conservative news website, and has also written columns for the Wall Street Journal and The Spectator during his extensive career.
The author of the anti-ANTIFA book, who has been described as a “provocateur” and very controversial, was attacked by far left counter-protesters at a Proud Boys march in Portland in 2019.
The journalist claimed he suffered a head injury as the result of being punched, kicked, and hit by a milkshake at the protest, where he’d been there to film for work.
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After being sent to hospital, Ngo’s attack drew national attention and in a lawsuit, he blamed Rose City Antifa activists for the assault.
A Mumford and Sons insider told The Sun Winston’s “staunchly right wing political views” had been causing fall-outs with other band members Marcus Mumford, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane for a while.
“There has been a rift forming for the past four years with some people even going as far to say he has been ‘radicalised’,” the source explained.
Winston Marshall of Mumford and Sons performs onstage during the KROQ Absolut Almost Acoustic Christmas 2019
In 2013, Winston also publicly apologised to singer Boy George for mocking his sexuality when he was at school, after coming under fire once more.
And in 2018, Mumford and Sons were criticised as a band for posing in a photo with Canadian YouTube star Jordan Peterson, whose extreme views are polarising on social media.
Mumford and Sons shot to fame after they formed back in 2007, rapidly rising to the top of the charts.
Source: Celebrities - dailystar.co.uk
