Reverend and the Makers singer apologises to Rachel Riley and Tracy Ann Oberman for 'defamatory tweets'

Ms Oberman had warned in March that she and Ms Riley would be suing Reverend and the Makers for “spreading libellous unsubstantiated smears” and the “explicit statement that @RachelRileyRR & I will be responsible for something terrible happening.

“These allegations cannot stand.”

In a statement published on Wednesday night by the Reverend and the Makers Twitter account in the name of Mr McClure, the singer wrote that he had “made several mean spirited and unnecessary comments about Rachel Riley. The result was that I got into an argument with the well known actress Tracy Ann Oberman, who had justifiably sought to defend her friend.

“This concluded with my retweeting defamatory tweets, including an article about both of them, which it transpires contained a number of factual inaccuracies.

“I’ve come to learn that much of what has been spread has been done by those with deeply held antisemitic beliefs, which I wholly disown, and I truly regret my part in lending them false credibility though my own naivety and lack of research.”

Mr McClure concluded by apologising to both Ms Oberman and Ms Riley “for any hurt or offence that has been caused to them as a result of my actions.”

Ms Oberman tweeted the apology letter out to her followers herself, saying that “when  Rachel Riley and I said we would not be silenced and intimidated by smears and lies we truly meant it."

Ms Riley tweeted: “I’m pleased Jon McClure has taken responsibility for his actions and apologised. Tracy Ann Oberman and I wish to draw a line under this and accept this apology.”