5 Seconds of Summer guitarist and singer Michael Clifford has apologised after past homophobic and sexist tweets resurfaced online.
In one post from 2013, Clifford reportedly told bandmate Luke Hemmings that he tweeted “like a f*g” and used the word “gay” in a derogatory way.
In another post, he said: “I am so bad at making sandwiches, I would be a terrible woman.”
Screenshots of the tweets began circulating after Clifford expressed solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement on Instagram.
In a thread, one Twitter user criticised his fans for “defending every single one [of] his actions.”
“I am so f**king sorry for all the dumb s**t I did when I was younger,” Clifford wrote in his apology.
“I am a different person now with a much better understanding of the world.
“Some people have access to a digital megaphone a bit earlier than they should, unfortunately, I was one of them.”
In a follow up tweet, he added: “I am so sorry for hurting anyone. It was never my intention. I was so naive and I am embarrassed and I am beyond sorry.
“I will continue to be better and I will continue to change. I never want to hurt anyone again.”
5 Seconds of Summer are an Australian pop rock band who attracted early fame as the support act for One Direction during their Take Me Home tour.
The band released their latest album, Calm, earlier this year.
