UK bishop apologises for 'deeply offensive' Kate, Wills' marriage slur India News and Travel Times Provides India-centric and other News and Features

A bishop who suggested that Prince William and Kate Middleton's marriage will fall apart after seven years has apologised for his 'deeply offensive' comments. The Rt Rev Pete Broadbent, Bishop of Willesden had earlier denounced the 'corrupt and sexist' Royal Family as 'philanderers' with a record of marriage break-ups who 'cost an arm and a leg'. He also said that the Prince and fiancee were like 'shallow celebrities'. The wedding of William, who will one day be head of the Church, was dismissed as 'nauseating tosh' and 'national flimflam paid for by our taxes' in a series of tirades on the 58-year-old clergyman's Facebook page. However, the Church of England bishop has now backtracked and said he had conveyed his 'sincere regrets' to the Prince of Wales and to Prince William and Middleton for the 'distress' caused by the remarks. "I recognise that the tone of my language and the content of what I said were deeply offensive, and I apologise unreservedly for the hurt caused," the Daily Mail quoted him as saying. "It was unwise of me to engage in a debate with others on a semi-public Internet forum and to express myself in such language. "I accept that this was a major error of judgment on my part. "I wish Prince William and Kate Middleton a happy and lifelong marriage, and will hold them in my prayers," he added.