In a series of tweets on Thursday evening, he said, having gotten suggestions and feedback from people, he realised he made a mistake by referring to youths as “Children.”

“I did not mean to be insensitive with this, it was borne out of the magnitude of destruction and looting of businesses I witnessed when I went on a tour of my constituency,” the lawmaker added.

“I saw women crying and my constituent members distraught as a result of the damage inflicted on their source of livelihood. I was moved by this while giving my submission on the floor of the House.

“I allowed my emotions to get the better of me and for this, I apologize to everyone my earlier statements may have hurt.”

While admitting that even the “best of us make mistakes,” he called for dialogue and engagement on the issues that “affect all of us” and promised to do the same.

“The pain that I feel for my constituents, the calls for assistance that I continue to get, and the need to mitigate against further destruction and violence will continue to drive my engagements and my work,” he explained.

“I thank you all for expressing your views, and in the future, I promise to be more conscious and aware.”