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[Shaun Whitmore/BBC]
Ipswich Town's chairman and chief executive has said he wants to "unreservedly apologise" for the handling of Nigel Farage's visit to the Championship side's stadium.
Mark Ashton said mistakes had been made that caused "harm and distress" to staff and parts of the fanbase and local community.
Reform leader Farage was photographed and filmed during a visit to the club on Monday, posing with personalised shirts and pretending to sign a contract.
The BBC understands he was invited to Portman Road by someone claiming to work for Ashton, who joined his role in 2021.
Ipswich initially denied knowledge of the Clacton MP's visit, but later said it was apolitical and did not "support or endorse any individual party".
The incident prompted widespread backlash on social media, with many calling for more clarity on the nature of Farage's presence.
In an in-house interview published by the Tractor Boys, Ashton said: "The staff are hurting, elements of the fanbase are hurting, and so are elements of our local community – and that upsets me immensely.
"For that, I want to unreservedly apologise and say I'm sorry."
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