Liam Neeson has issued a lengthy apology following his revelation that decades ago he harboured violent thoughts about killing a black man after someone close to him was raped.
The actor made his original comments during an interview with the Independent UK to promote his latest film Cold Pursuit.
The actor said he had walked the streets armed with a weapon, hoping he would be approached by someone so that he could kill them. In the interview, Neeson said he was ashamed of his behaviour, describing his actions as "awful" and "horrible".
His apology issued on Friday reads: "Over the last several weeks, I have reflected on and spoken to a variety of people who were hurt by my impulsive recounting of a brutal rape of a dear female friend nearly 40 years ago and my unacceptable thoughts and actions at that time in response to this crime. The horror of what happened to my friend ignited irrational thoughts that do not represent the person I am.
"In trying to explain those feelings today, I missed the point and hurt many people at a time when language is so often weaponized and an entire community of innocent people are targeted in acts of rage.
"What I failed to realize is that this is not about justifying my anger all those years ago, it is also about the impact my words have today. I was wrong to do what I did. I recognize that, although the comments I made do not reflect, in any way, my true feelings nor me, they were hurtful and divisive. I profoundly apologize."
