Ferry blames Nazi gaffe on 'art history'

Bryan Ferry has apologised for praising Nazi iconography, saying that his remarks were "made from an art history perspective".

The 61-year-old Roxy Music singer told Germany's Welt Am Sonntag newspaper: "The way that the Nazis staged themselves and presented themselves, my Lord!

"I'm talking about the films of Leni Riefenstahl and the buildings of Albert Speer and the mass marches and the flags - just fantastic. Really beautiful."

Ferry issued an apology after leaders of Britain's Jewish community condemned the stars comments and suggested the singer should be dropped as the face of Marks & Spencer

Ferry said he was "deeply upset" about the negative publicity the interview triggered, and added: "I apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by my comments on Nazi iconography, which were solely made from an art history perspective.

"I, like every right-minded individual, find the Nazi regime, and all it stood for, evil and abhorrent."

Lord Greville Janner, vice-president of the World Jewish Congress, said: "His apology was total, appropriate and absolutely necessary. I hope that he will never make the same mistake again."

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