“Deeply embarrassed”: Australian state leader admits to wearing Nazi uniform

Sydney, Australia:

The premier of Australia’s most populous state admitted on Thursday that he wore a Nazi uniform to his 21st birthday party and said he felt “deeply embarrassed”.

Premier Dominic Perrott, the Conservative premier of New South Wales, said he was prompted to enter after receiving a call from an aide two days earlier.

“When I was 21, I had my 21st fancy dress party. I wore a Nazi uniform,” Perrotte announced to the media.

He said, “I am deeply ashamed of what I did and I am truly sorry for the grief and pain this has caused people across our state and especially members of the Jewish community, Holocaust survivors, veterans and their families. “

“I’m really sorry for that terrible decision.”

Perrotet, 40, said he was naive at the time and did not understand the significance of his action or the pain that the uniforms represented in light of the millions who died in the Holocaust.

“It’s something that has worried me a lot all my life,” he said.

The premier, who faces statewide elections in March, said he was unaware of the existence of any photographs of him wearing the uniform.

The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies, which represents the Jewish community in the state, said “Nazi symbols are not to be taken lightly and dressing as a Nazi is no joke.”

“This incident, no matter how old, is a stark reminder of the need to continually educate all Australians – and our youth in particular – about the abhorrent nature of the Nazi regime,” it said in a statement.

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