Alliance MLA Paula Bradshaw apologises for dressing up as black American actor Mr T

Paula Bradshaw said 10 years ago she dressed up as Mr T.

The Illinois star is best known for playing the character BA Baracus inv the 1980s television series The A-Team.

She posted an apology on Twitter on Saturday, describing it as a “serious lapse of judgment”.

“For some time I have been deeply embarrassed I ever thought such an inappropriate costume was a good idea and I apologise for any offence caused,” she tweeted. “It was a serious lapse of judgment. It did not reflect my views then and does not reflect them now.

“I am proud to stand on my record of tackling the very real issues of racial discrimination and prejudice faced by minority ethnic communities here and abroad every day.

“I will not be diverted from continuing to take concrete action to support minority communities, assist refugees and oppose racial injustice in all its forms.”

The News Letter asked Ms Bradshaw if she would speak to us about the incident and she declined.

The Alliance Party’s health spokesperson became embroiled in another political controversy early in the summer over a foreign holiday. It emerged in July that she was travelling to Italy when Stormont Covid-19 advice was still against non-essential travel.

After initially defending the holiday, Ms Bradshaw then said she would not travel until the guidance changed.