Mumford & Sons’ Winston Marshall announced on Tuesday that he would step aside from the band days after the banjoist faced criticism for praising a book by Andy Ngo, a right-wing provocateur who condemned Antifa.
“In the past few days, I have understood better the pain caused by the book than I endorse,” Marshall tweeted. “I have offended not only many people I don’t know, but also those closest to me, including my bandmates and for that, I’m really sorry. As a result of my actions, I am taking time out of the band to examine my blind spots. “
In the deleted tweet – in fact, Marshall deleted all tweets from his account, leaving only his new apology – Marshall congratulated Ngo for the postings Unmasked: Inside Antifa’s Radical Plan to Destroy Democracy. “I finally had time to read your important book. You are a brave man, ”Marshall tweeted to Ngo, a conservative journalist who gained prominence for his reporting on the Antifa protests in Portland.
Days after Marshall’s tweet caused an uproar on social media, the banjoist departed from his comments, adding on Tuesday: “For now, know that I understand how my endorsements have the potential to be seen as approvals of hateful and divisive behavior. I apologize, as that was by no means my intention. “
– Winston Marshall (@MrWinMarshall) March 10, 2021
Mumford & Sons did not comment on Marshall’s tweet or his indefinite break from the band. In 2018, the group caused a similar uproar when Marshall and other members of the band, Ben Lovett and Ted Dwane, were photographed in the recording studio with YouTube’s conservative personality and clinical psychologist Jordan Peterson.
“If people take this as an endorsement of your policy, it upsets me because I disagree with many of your policies,” said Marcus Mumford to Guardian of the photo, adding, however, that he “would fiercely defend the rights of my bandmates to hear the guy”.
Conservative media figures have since punished Marshall for apologizing, with Glenn Beck tweeting in response for the banjoist: “Sad. Whoever has the courage to say it is okay to disagree with me, even vehemently, but it is not right to force people to obey. In America, we all have to live together. What is the plan on the left when 40% of the country will not play its game? ”Ngo too alluded to to Marshall’s apology, tweeting, “I’m sorry for those who suffer because they dare to read my work or speak to me.”