Winston Marshall has decided to leave Mumford & Sons.
The 33-year-old musician came under fire for a tweet he sent to journalist Andy Ngo, author of Unmasked, earlier this year, praising his "braveness" for his "important" book, which was critical of the Far-Left.
However, social media users quickly took it as his "approval of the equally abhorrent Far-Right" and thousands of tweets flooded in as he was attacked for his apparent "views".
Winston recalled how his bandmates were then targeted because of his comments and he admits there was a lot of "distress" for the whole band that weekend, something which he "regrets very much".
He wrote in a blog post : "Despite being four individuals we were, in the eyes of the public, a unity.
"Furthermore it’s our singer’s name on the tin. That name was being dragged through some pretty ugly accusations, as a result of my tweet."
"The distress brought to them and their families that weekend I regret very much. I remain sincerely sorry for that. Unintentionally, I had pulled them into a divisive and totemic issue."
Winston had thought at the time that he might be forced to leave the band, but he was very grateful to his bandmates for inviting him to continue on with the group.
He explained: "Emotions were high. Despite pressure to nix me they invited me to continue with the band. That took courage, particularly in the age of so called 'cancel culture'. I made an apology and agreed to take a temporary step back."
However, the Little Lion Man hitmaker has now decided to leave the band for good so he can speak about things freely, as he admits that "continuing to self-censor" has "gnawed" at his conscience.
"For me to speak about what I’ve learnt to be such a controversial issue will inevitably bring my bandmates more trouble. My love, loyalty and accountability to them cannot permit that," he writes.
"I could remain and continue to self-censor but it will erode my sense of integrity. Gnaw my conscience. I’ve already felt that beginning."
And Winston knows the band will go on to have great success without him.
He said: "The only way forward for me is to leave the band. I hope in distancing myself from them I am able to speak my mind without them suffering the consequences."
"I leave with love in my heart and I wish those three boys nothing but the best. I have no doubt that their stars will shine long into the future."
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