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Read our Privacy and Cookie policies to find out more. 1. News 2. Politics Mike Read apologises for Ukip Calypso song after racism storm * Robin de Peyer * Wednesday 22 October 2014 09:44 BST * Apology: Mike Read, who sang in a mock Caribbean accent in the song Former Radio 1 DJ Mike Read today apologised for performing a song in which he put on Caribbean accent which sparked accusations of racism. The 'Ukip Calypso', released on Monday, was endorsed by Ukip leader Nigel Farage who backed it to top the charts. It included lines criticising mainstream political parties for "allowing "illegal immigrants in every town", and warned listeners against trusting the Prime Minister's pledges on EU reform. In a backlash on social media, critics branded it "ill-judged, offensive and downright awful." And Read today apologised for "unintentionally causing offence", adding that he had asked his record company to withdraw the single from sale. "I'm so sorry that the song unintentionally caused offence," he said. "That was never my intention and I apologise unreservedly if anyone has taken offence. "I've asked the record company to withdraw the single immediately." IFRAME: //www.youtube.com/embed/Xqs9OSbWluQ The DJ currently hosts an afternoon show on BBC Berkshire and previously spent more than a decade at Radio 1. He had earlier insisted the controversial song was "satire and a bit of fun", adding: "It wouldn't have sounded very good sung in a Surrey accent." The climbdown comes after the DJ was bombarded with messages on Twitter from critics branding the song offensive. AN54054927UKIP-Party-Leader.jpg Ukip leader Nigel Farage had backed the song to reach number 1 One posted: "The UKIP Calypso... a song about immigration by a party claiming not to be racist, sung by old white man with fake Jamaican accent." Others poked fun at the party's attempts to tackle allegations of racism. One posted: "Because the perfect way of making your party seem not racist is releasing a song sung in a mock Jamaican accent.." Related links * Ex-Radio 1 DJ Mike Read apologises for 'Ukip Calypso' song after racism row * Ukip song featuring mock Caribbean accent branded 'racist' and Farage tips it to hit no1 * Nigel Farage: Ukip can't be a one-man band * Nigel Farage in Ukip carnival no-show because 'Croydon is not safe' * Ukip leader Nigel Farage faces racism watchdog probe over Romanians remark Another wrote: "A white guy singing about immigration in a bad Caribbean accent probably isn't the best way to prove you're not racist." Ukip has previously attempted to highlight its ethnic minority members with a rally in Croydon, during which a steel band left after realising who they had been booked for and local party candidate Winston McKenzie branded the area a "dump". 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