The Prime Minister of the State of New South Wales, Australia, admitted on Thursday to having worn a Nazi uniform during the birthday party for his 21 years and said he was “deeply ashamed”. An admission may be in tune with the release of Prince Harry’s book, pinned in a similar episode, who knows.
Dominic Perrottet, head of the country’s most populous state, explained that a colleague had called him two days earlier to urge him to recognize this “terrible decision”. “I am deeply ashamed of what I have done and I am truly sorry for the hurt and pain this will cause the people of our state and especially members of the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families,” he added.
Elections in March
The 40-year-old Tory leader said he didn’t realize the importance of his act at the time and that the decision had caused him “a lot of anxiety” throughout his life. He said he was unaware of any photos of him wearing this Nazi uniform, as local elections in March loom.
“Nazi symbolism is not to be taken lightly and dressing up as a Nazi is not a joke,” reacted the association which represents the Jewish community of the state. “This incident, no matter when, is a reminder that we must continually educate all Australians, and especially our young people, about the abject nature of the Nazi regime,” she added in a statement.