Well, yes, I know I can be...but..
OK, let's assume he didn't mean it. I actually think that is probably true*. But if I accidentally called a mixed race baby a monkey** I would either prostrate myself before the parents, apologising profusely and begging forgiveness or - more likely - get plastic surgery to change my appearance, burn my fingerprints off, get a fake passport and start a new life in Argentina. I would not make a half arsed apology implying its all bants and that I am being fucked in the arse.
He only showing that sort of remorce today, after he's been sacked.
* whomever created that image with its caption was racist. That's not the image you'd pick to show circus, you'd pick something like this. You don't generate something that specifically racist accidentally. So I think a racist friend sent it to him, he misinterpreted it and put it on twitter.
** I can easily imagine saying "what a naughty little monkey he is" and not realising the offence until someone pointed it out.
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All IMHO, of course.