The Cult frontman Ian Astbury apologises for saying 'All Lives Matter' at Canada concert

'Thank you for enlightening me that this phrase is offensive,' Astbury says

Ian Astbury (Getty)

The Cult frontman Ian Astbury has apologised for saying “All Lives Matter” at a concert.

During the British group's performance at the RBC Bluesfest on Saturday, lead vocalist said the phrase, “All Lives Matter” during a more general political speech about fighting racism and gun violence and environmental concerns, according to The Ottawa Citizen.

The phrase is sometimes used to counter and dismiss the anti-police brutality and racial equality campaign Black Lives Matter which led some to criticise Astbury on Twitter.

Astbury issued an apology through The Cult’s Twitter account, telling their 32,000 followers they were sorry for any offence caused and had now been “enlightened” about the phrase.

(Screengrab/Twitter (Screengrab/Twitter)

“I fully support #blacklivesmatter and wished to show my solidarity. So disheartened to know that I have offended people of colour,” Astbury wrote. “Thank you for enlightening me that this phrase is offensive. I shall never use it again.”

The band then had to issue another tweet urging fans not to attack those who had complained about Astbury using the original phrase.

“We will not condone racism or hate speech in ANY way on our socials,” the group said. “We have no problem deleting, banning or reporting you.”

Hundreds of people joined a Black Lives Matter protest through London over the weekend to demand justice for the deaths of Alton Sterling and Philando Castile, two black men who were fatally shot by US police officers within a day of each other last week.