It comes three years after the group attracted criticism again for being photographed with a rightwing professor
(Picture: Getty Images for KROQ)Mumford and Sons’s lead guitarist, Winston Marshall, has announced he is taking a break from the band after he received backlash for praising a far-right author.
On Sunday, Marshall, who also plays the banjo, tweeted that Andy Ngo’s book ‘Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy’ was important.
His tweet read: “Finally had the time to read your important book. You’re a brave man.”
But the post was soon deleted as criticism mounted.
Ngo is a journalist well-known for his far-right views and in 2019, Jacobin magazine described him as “the most dangerous grifter in America.”
— Winston Marshall (@MrWinMarshall) March 10, 2021
The American based writer and social media personality, gained popularity after he started reporting on left-wing groups, though he has been heavily criticised in the past for painting left-wing activists as violent while ignoring the incidents caused by right-wing protestors.
In a statement shared on Wednesday, Marshall said: “Over the past few days I have come to better understand the pain caused by the book I endorsed. I have offended not only a lot of people I don’t know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates, and for that I am truly sorry.”
Marshall said he would use his absence from the band “to examine my blindspots”.
“For now, please know that I realise how my endorsements have the potential to be viewed as approvals of hateful, divisive behaviour. I apologise, as this was not at all my intention,” he added.
Since he published his statement, his bandmates have not commented on his remarks.
It comes three years after the group attracted criticism for being photographed with the right wing professorJordan Peterson.
