Singer Lily Allen has hit out at actor Liam Neeson after he made controversial comments about a past desire to commit a racist murder.
The Taken star made headlines when he revealed his reaction after discovering that the attacker of his friend was black.
At a gig, introducing the single ‘F*** You’, which features the lyrics “You’re just some racist who can’t tie my laces. Your point of view is medieval“, Allen told her Sydney crowd: “Normally, I dedicate this song to Donald Trump, but tonight I’m dedicating it to Liam Neeson.”
In an interview last week, the Ballymena born actor told a journalist: “I went up and down areas with a cosh, hoping I’d be approached by somebody – I’m ashamed to say that – and I did it for maybe a week, hoping some ‘black b******’ would come out of a pub and have a go at me about something, you know? So that I could kill him.”
Responding on Instagram Stories following the gig, Lily stated: “I don’t believe Liam Neeson’s racist anecdote, which makes it even more disgusting.
“I don’t know a woman who hasn’t been harassed and I have NEVER heard of an instance where a man has actually gone out to defend her honour. It just doesn’t happen.”
Neeson appeared on Good Morning America to discuss his comments.
“I’m not racist. This was nearly 40 years ago. We all pretend we’re all politically correct. In this country — it’s the same in my own country too — you sometimes just scratch the surface and you discover this racism and bigotry. And it’s there.”
The New York red carpet premiere of Cold Pursuit was cancelled. In the movie, Neeson plays the role of a snowplower seeking revenge for the murder of his son.