UK PM under fire over past controversial comments

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson apologised Thursday after he was asked if his past remarks h given a green light to online racism.

"I've obviously apologized in past for things that I've said that have caused offense and I continue to apologize for m," Johnson said after a speech at UK Battery Industrialisation Centre in Coventry.

Johnson on Wednesday announced plans to ban anyone guilty of online racist abuse from attending soccer matches after three members of England’s national team were targeted following its loss in European Championship final.

Johnson condemned abuse leveled at three Black players after y failed to score penalties in England's shootout defeat to Italy on Sunday at Wembley Stium.

government plans to d online racism to list of offenses for which fans can be barred from matches, he said.

Like or countries, Britain has faced an uncomfortable reckoning with race since death of George Floyd, a Black American, by a white police officer in May 2020, which sparked anti-racism protests around world.

Earlier in year, findings of an inquiry into racial disparities by commisssioned by British governemnt h been criticised by many acemics and anti-racism activists, with some claiming commission ignored barriers to equality, while ors said it downplayed ongoing legacy of Britain's colonial past as well as its role in slavery.

IMAGE: AP