A musician has publicly apologised for publishing “defamatory tweets” about two prominent Jewish women, including an article which contained “factual inaccuracies” about them.

In March, John McClure, lead singer of Reverend and the Makers, falsely accused Rachel Riley, the TV presenter and Tracy Ann Oberman, the actress, of “setting gangs of far-right bullies against children.”

Another similar tweet from the official Reverend and the Makers Twitter account, which has more than 70,000 followers, read: “Hearing about Tracy Oberman [sic] intimidating kids online now.

“What is wrong with her and Rachel Riley? Do they genuinely not care that the constant outrage at everything and everyone is going to wind up with someone on the left being physically harmed.”

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.”