September 16, 2011 8:36

Kelis: 'Racist attack happened in Spain and not the UK'

Singer clarifies her original comments after London mayor Boris Johnson offers to investigate 'abuse' claims

Photo: PA

Kelis has revealed that her recent racist attack did not happen in the UK.

Earlier this week (September 12), the singer alleged she was called a "slave" and "disgusting Nigerian" at passport control at an unnamed airport in London. In a series of rants at Twitter.com/iamkelis, she said she was abused by a "fat red-faced sweaty 'man'" who accused her of queue jumping.

The singer also went on to say that "racial issues in the UK are disgusting" and suggested the recent riots were caused by racial tension. After hearing of her plight, London mayor Boris Johnson said that he would investigate the claims. In a message to Kelis on Twitter, the Conservative politician said: "Heard about the treatment you received at a UK airport. Want you to know this is not typical. I'm appalled & I’m on the case."

But now, the singer has said the verbal abuse she received was actually hurled at her by a British man at a Spanish airport while they were queuing at customs. "Just to clarify, because apparently there's been some confusion, I was in the UK (as always) this time for Bestival (which was great)," she wrote. "I took a flight from Gatwick (airport) back to Spain so for those fact checkers that is approximately a two and a half to three hour flight.

She added: "I landed in Spain and that's when the fat pink faced British guy who was on the plane with me called me a slave and (told me) to call him sir. It was at passport control. I didn't think to make that clear at the time because I was shaken and furious. Now you know."