Brian May apologises for appearing to defend Bryan Singer after new abuse allegations

Brian May (Credit: PA)

Brian May has posted a lengthy apology to a fan on social media, after he appeared to be defending Bohemian Rhapsody director Bryan Singer following new allegations of sexual abuse against him.

May snapped at the fan, named Sue, on his Instagram page, after she suggested he quit following the director in light of the claims.

“You need to look after your own business and stop telling me what to do,” the Queen guitarist hit back.

“And you need to learn to respect the fact that a man or woman is innocent until proven guilty.”

Four men came forward with fresh allegations against Singer this week, in an interview with The Atlantic, in which they allege that he raped and molested them while they were underage.

Singer, who called the report ‘a homophobic smear’, has been accused of a number of other sexual assaults in recent years, though no charges have be brought against him.

However, following his outburst, May then posted a lengthy and detailed apology online for appearing to defend Singer, and added that he only followed him on social media because of the movie project.

“Dear Folks – I was shocked and saddened to realise what I had done by my hasty and inconsiderate IG reply to this lady yesterday. I’ve posted an apology to her in the ‘reply’ box, but it seems to have disappeared – so I’m going to try to repeat it here, to be clear,” he wrote.

“Dear Sue, I’m so sorry that I responded to your post so snappily and inconsiderately. My response was a result of my perception that someone was telling me what to do.

“I now realise that I was completely wrong in thinking that. You were actually just trying to protect me, for which I thank you. I am mortified to discover the effect my words produced.

“I had no idea that saying someone was innocent until proven guilty could be interpreted as ‘defending’ Bryan Singer. I had absolutely no intention of doing that. I guess I must be naive, because also it had never occurred to me that ‘following’ a person on Instagram could be interpreted as approving of that person.

“The only reason I followed Bryan Singer was that we were working with him on a project. That situation came to an end when Mr Singer was sacked during the shooting of the film, but I suppose unfollowing him never occurred to me as a necessity.

“Now, because of this misunderstanding, I have unfollowed. I’m so sorry. This must have caused you a lot of upset. I wish I could take the comment back, but all I can do is apologise, and hope that my apology will begin to make amends.

“Sadly, this is all very public, but since I snapped at you in public, it’s only fitting that I should apologise in public. I’m going to try to follow you so we can communicate privately if you want. With love – Bri.

“I should add that this is also a sincere apology to anyone else out there that I inadvertently offended. No such offence was intended and I will be more careful in future.”

The leading LGBT media organisation GLAAD announced yesterday that it is withdrawing the nomination for the movie in its Best Original Film category at its awards event this year following the allegations, in solidarity with sexual abuse victims.

However, he will remain the director of the forthcoming reboot of fantasy movie Red Sonia.

The movie’s producer Avi Lerner told The Wrap: “I continue to be in development for RED SOJNA [sic] and Bryan Singer continues to be attached.

“The over $800 million BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY has grossed, making it the highest grossing drama in film history, is testament to his remarkable vision and acumen. I know the difference between agenda driven fake news and reality, and I am very comfortable with this decision. In America people are innocent until proven guilty.”

Read more
Singer calls abuse report ‘homophobic’
Lost Boys TV show in the pipeline
Oscars nominations 2019