One of the rebel MPs who walked out of the Labour Party has apologised after appearing to describe black people as having a “funny” tint or tinge.
Angela Smith said she was “very sorry” for any offence caused after she “misspoke” during a television interview.
Appearing on the BBC’s Politics Live programme, Ms Smith said: “It is not just about being black or a funny tin … you know, different – from the BME community.”
I’m really sorry that I misspoke earlier on Politics Live – here’s my statement. pic.twitter.com/7csM95TFLo
— Angela Smith MP (@angelasmithmp) February 18, 2019
Following the broadcast, Ms Smith said in a video posted on her Twitter feed: “I am very sorry about any offence caused and I am very upset that I misspoke so badly.
“It is not what I am. I am committed to fighting racism wherever I find it in our society.”
Ms Smith was one of seven MPs to announce they were leaving Labour to form the new Independent Group, citing – among other issues – Jeremy Corbyn’s handling of allegations of anti-Semitism within the party.
