Eagles of Death Metal singer sorry for Bataclan staff terror slur

The lead singer of the Eagles Of Death Metal rock band has apologised after suggesting music venue employees may have played a role in the Paris terrorist attack in November. During an interview with Fox Business Network, Jesse Hughes said he considered it suspicious that some security guards at the Bataclan concert hall did not arrive for work on the night of the shooting in which 90 people were killed by Islamist gunmen. He said: “It seems rather obvious that they had a reason not to show up.”

I humbly beg forgiveness from the people of France, the staff and security of the Bataclan, my fans, family, friends and anyone else hurt or offended by the absurd accusations.

Jesse Hughes

Hughes says he challenged the promoter when one security guard didn’t look at him. Hughes said he wanted a different guy on the door but was told about six guards had not showed up. Now Hughes has posted an apology on the band’s Facebook profile in which he blames his accusations on post-traumatic stress and pleads with France and Bataclan staff to forgive him. "My suggestions that anyone affiliated with the Bataclan played a role in the events of November 13 are unfounded and baseless – and I take full responsibility for them,“ he says. Last month, Eagles Of Death Metal played for survivors of the massacre in a gig at the Olympia venue, a few miles from the Bataclan.

I’ve been dealing with non-stop nightmares and struggling through therapy to make sense of this tragedy and insanity. I haven’t been myself since November 13.

Jess Hughes

Jesse Hughes