Plan B’s Nazi band shirt was ‘mistake’

By Angus Howarth
Published on 24/07/2012 00:00

MUSIC star Plan B has admitted he made a “mistake” after posing for a photoshoot wearing a t-shirt which featured the name of a far-right, white-power band.

The rapper was pictured in a shirt he had made himself using an image from a book which included the name Skrewdriver written on a wall.

However, the star – whose name is Ben Drew – said he was “ignorant” about the band’s neo-Nazipast.

The name was scrawled on a wall in the background of a picture which photographer Gavin Watson took of his brother Neville and was published in his book, Skins And Punks.

Drew wore the shirt in a photoshoot to accompany an interview for free magazine Shortlist.

He said: “I was ignorant to the existence of the band Skrewdriver. I don’t listen to music like that so I wouldn’t know the names of bands that make that music.”

He added: “The minute I found out what the words on the t-shirt meant I was angry with myself for not questioning them. It was of my own doing and therefore it is my mistake, but that is all it is.”

A music website mistakenly identified the figure in the photo as an associate of the group, but has since apologised for the error.

Drew said he liked Watson’s photos because they depicted “demonised youth of the past”.