Madness singer Suggs says he regrets calling Brexit voters ‘small-minded’

Madness frontman Suggs has revealed that he regretted calling Brexit voters ‘small-minded’ in their decision to leave the European Union.   

The lead singer of the ska band, whose real name is Graham McPherson, said he apologised for taking fire at those who voted too leave and added that he understood it was a democratic vote and he had to ‘accept that’. 

The music artist also revealed that the referendum left himself and his bandmates conflicted over the decision to Leave or Remain. 

The lead singer (second from right with band mates) of the ska band Madness said he and his band were conflicted

He told The Mirror: ‘I mean it’s funny even in my band there were Brexiters and Remainers, like every family in the country. We had punch-ups about all that.’

In 2016, the singer, who is a Labour supporter and a staunch remainer, sparked controversy after he criticised voters who aligned themselves with the Leave campaign. 

Speaking to German newspaper Die Welt, he said: ‘I am afraid, unfortunately, that less attention is being paid to British virtues such as tolerance and democracy.

‘Don’t you have the same small-minded people in Germany, who view immigration as an invasion and, above all, fear what appears to be different from themselves?’

However the singer has since apologised for the comments and admitted that as time went on he began to appreciate the feelings of those in the country. 

The singer also apologised for calling those who chose to leave the Euorpean Union ‘small-minded’

He told The Mirror: ‘I regret that. I didn’t mean that. I mean I just thought it was a kind of a moronic campaign. It didn’t have any kind of reality. 

‘So as time went on I appreciated people’s genuine feelings and that it was a democratic vote, and I have to accept that.’

The singer’s comments come as he prepares to hit the Hi-Tide festival at Dreamland, in Margate, on July as a headline act to mark it’s 100th anniversary.