Steps Refutes Racist Label

LONDON--Members of pop group Steps have hit back at allegations that they are racists, after they told a U.K. tabloid that non-British citizens should not be allowed access to state funds and jobs.

The U.K.'s Anti-Fascist Action group declared them racists after Steps member Lee Latchford-Evans was quoted in a June 25 Sunday Express interview as saying, "I think there should be more jobs for English people." Band member Claire Richards also said, "Why are we paying for all these people to come into the country anyway?" in a reference to asylum-seekers.

The AFA requested in a statement that Steps "withdraw their comments" if they had been made unintentionally. Otherwise, the AFA warned, the group's views "would be likely to attract the attention of anti-fascists," implying that the AFA could make further protests against the group.

The group claims that members' comments were taken out of context. An official statement issued through its record label Jive said, "Steps, both as a group and as individuals, are horrified at the implication by the AFA that they are racist. They deplore all forms of discrimination--racist, sexist or homophobic. The comments made in the Sunday Express were not intended to appear racist and Steps unreservedly apologize for any misunderstanding."