Virginia governor apologizes for racist yearbook photo

Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam, D, on Friday acknowledged appearing in a "clearly racist and offensive" photograph in his 1984 medical school yearbook that shows a man in blackface and another in a Ku Klux Klan robe.

"I am deeply sorry for the decision I made to appear as I did in this photo and for the hurt, that decision caused then and now," he said in a statement.

"This behaviour is not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career in the military, in medicine, and in public service. But I want to be clear, I understand how this decision shakes Virginians' faith in that commitment."

Northam, 59, did not say whether he was the man dressed in blackface or the one in a Klan robe and hood.

Black politicians in Virginia called the image "disgusting" and Republicans urged the Democrat to resign.

The picture showed a man in blackface and another man in Ku Klux Klan robes.

It appeared on a page with other photos of Northam, who was aged about 25 at the time, as well as personal details about him.

Northam was elected governor of Virginia in November 2017.

Northam's yearbook page, which came from the pediatric neurologist's time at Eastern Virginia Medical School, was first published by conservative website Big League Politics.

Northam later released a video statement via Twitter in which he said he was "deeply sorry" for the offence the image had caused.

"I accept responsibility for my past actions and I am ready to do the hard work of regaining your trust," he said.

Before he was elected governor, Northam served for a decade as a Virginia state legislator.

His responsibilities as governor include implementing state laws, restoring voting rights for individuals who have had them withdrawn and issuing pardons.

The photo prompted a swift backlash from conservatives, including Jack Wilson, the chairman of the Republican Party of Virginia, who called on Northam to step down.

The Ku Klux Klan is one of the oldest and most infamous hate groups in the US and has targeted African Americans, Jews, Catholics, and immigrants, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups.

The group has a long history, with KKK membership peaking in the 1920s.