The Lord Mayor of Liverpool has been forced from office and suspended by the Labour Party after sharing a racist video in a WhatsApp group.
Peter Brennan was stripped of his title after just two months in the job for sharing the clip, which the Liverpool Echo understands compared a black person to a monkey.
Mr Brennan issued a lengthy apology admitting the video was "racist and offensive" and said sending it "was a very stupid thing to do".
It came 14 years to the day after black teenager Anthony Walker was murdered on Merseyside. In a bizarre and sad twist, Mr Brennan is a patron of the Foundation in his memory.
The video Mr Brennan shared in a WhatsApp group with fellow councillors has not been made available publicly.
Mr Brennan stepped down yesterday after talks with city mayor Joe Anderson, saying: "I sent a video out on a whatsapp group, which I now recognise is racist and offensive. I recognise this and I sincerely regret the hurt and upset that I have caused by sharing it.
"It was a very stupid thing to do, but honestly it was not meant to cause harm.
"I have reflected on it and can again honestly say I am appalled that I could have done so and that it has caused harm and will upset many people.
"Today is the anniversary of the death of Anthony Walker who was murdered because of the colour of his skin.
"I am a proud Patron of the charity the Anthony Walker Foundation and it was one of my charities for my year as Mayor.
"I state this not to justify sharing a stupid and hurtful video but to make it clear that I have and will always fight racism.
"The black community I have clearly offended will have lost confidence in me for making such a calamitous mistake,
"I clearly can not represent our wonderfully diverse community if people are angry and upset with me.
"I apologise for this serious misjudgement and it something that has scarred me and will live with me always, please find it in your heart to forgive this huge mistake."
Mr Brennan referred the matter to the Labour Party and it's understood he has now been suspended from the party pending investigation.
A Labour Party spokeswoman said: “The Labour Party takes all complaints about racism extremely seriously, which are fully investigated in line with our rules and procedures and any appropriate disciplinary action is taken.
"We cannot comment on individual cases."
Mr Anderson said: "I was shocked and appalled to see a racist video that was circulated by our Lord Mayor Cllr Peter Brennan. Racist language and behaviour is inexcusable and unforgivable in all its forms.
"The hurt that this will have caused to people across the city, including members of my own family is unacceptable from someone who we have given the honour to act as our first citizen.
“On behalf of the people of Liverpool I apologise for the offence and hurt caused.”
