The Premier of the State of New South Wales, Australia, confessed on Thursday January 12 to having worn a Nazi uniform during the birthday party for his 21st birthday and said he was "
deeply ashamed
".
Dominic Perrottet, head of the most populous state in the country, explained that a colleague had called him two days earlier to urge him to recognize this “
terrible decision
”.
A mistake that haunted him all his life
"
I wore a Nazi uniform
" at a costume party for his 21st birthday, he told the media.
“
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.
Dominique Perrottet, a 40-year-old Conservative 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.
Read alsoDiamonds, gold and jewels: the Netherlands races for the map leading to a Nazi treasure
He said he was unaware of any photos of him wearing the Nazi uniform as local elections in March loom.
Reaction from the Jewish community
“
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.
