Winston Marshall, the banjo player of the British folk-rock group Mumford & Sons, “takes time away” from the group after a setback on social media over a tweet in which he praised the right-wing writer Andy Ngo.
In the tweet that has since been removed, Marshall – who is British – congratulated Ngo on the publication of his most recent book, “Unmasked”, which looks at “Antifa’s radical plan to destroy democracy.” ‘Finally had time to read your important book. You’re a brave man, ‘Marshall wrote.
In a statement posted on his Twitter account on Tuesday night, Marshall apologizes for the tweet and announces that he will be taking leave from the group to investigate my blind spots.
‘Over the past few days, I have come to understand the pain that the book I have endorsed better. “I have insulted not only many people I do not know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates, and I am really sorry about that,” Marshall wrote.
‘Because of my actions, I take time to examine the blind spots. Know for the first time that I realize how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approving of hateful, divisive behavior. I apologize because that was not my intention at all. ”
Representatives of Mumford & Sons did not immediately respond. Variety‘s request for comment.
According to the Los Angeles Times ‘review of Ngo’s book, “Unmasked” reveals the murders of Heather Heyer and Trayvon Martin, it is argued that communists in Weimar Germany should be investigated as much as Nazis and call the Proud Boys a’ pro- Trump fraternity. ”
Marshall is an original member of the group, which was formed in 2007. Mumford & Sons recently released a live EP titled “Delta Tour” in November 2020.