'I'm deeply sorry'...Virginia Governor issues apology over racist pictures

The Governor of Virginia, in the United States, Ralph Northam has issued an apology after racist pictures from his 1984 student yearbook were made public.

The pictures, which have triggered public outcry, show a man in blackface and another man in Ku Klux Klan robes.

They appeared on a page with other photos of Northam, who was about 25 years old at the time, as well as personal details about him.

An official from the medical school he attended has verified the pictures and revealed that they came from a "student-produced publication.”

The Governor did not elaborate on which costume he was wearing, but acknowledged that he appeared in a photograph that was "clearly racist and offensive."

"I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear, as I did, in this photo and for the hurt that decision caused then and now," Northam said in a statement.

"This behaviour is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine and in public service," he added.

Northam acknowledged, too, that it will take "time and serious effort to heal the damage this conduct has caused”, but said he is ready to take on that “important” work.

"The first step is to offer my sincerest apology and to state my absolute commitment to living up to the expectations Virginians set for me when they elected me to be their governor."

Black politicians in Virginia have called the image "disgusting" while Republicans have urged the Democrat to resign.

We want to hear from you! Send us a message on WhatsApp at 1-876-499-0169, email us at editors@gleanerjm.com or onlinefeedback@gleanerjm.com.