Liam Payne has apologised for the behaviour of his fellow One Direction bandmates Louis Tomlinson and Zayn Malik. The pair had been at the centre of a drugs scandal, after a video was leaked online which showed Louis and Zayn joking about marijuana while Zayn appeared to be smoking a rolled up cigarette, while on tour in Peru.Liam, 20, has been the first band member to break his silence by posting a heartfelt message on Twitter to his near 17million followers.
From left to right: Louis Tomlinson, Niall Horan, Liam Payne, Zayn Malik and Harry Styles
"I love my boys and maybe things have gone a little sideways I apologise for that," he wrote. "We are only in our 20's we all do stupid things at this age. "We all have a lot of growing up to do in an extreme circumstance I'm not making excuse but it's fact we are gunna fall short somewhere. "Hopefully we stand the test of time an get it right in the end I don't take this for granted and I'm extremely grateful to be here doing this. Thank you to everyone who has stuck with us through this just know that we love you guys for it and it means the world."
One Direction fans were quick to react to Liam's statement, with several declaring their love for Liam while others insisted that the singer shouldn't have to apologise for his friends. The footage, which was posted on Mail Online, showed Louis, 22, passing a rolled up cigarette to Zayn, 21. "So here we are, leaving Peru. Joint lit. Happy days," Louis can be heard saying in the video. He repeatedly joked about the police, or "po po", and as an officer drives by, said, "He's having a look, he's thinking I'm sure I can smell an illegal substance in there. And he's hit the nail on the head."
Under Peruvian law, using small amounts of cannabis for personal use is not punishable. However, if it is proven that Louis and Zayn have taken illegal substances, they could be banned from the US, where they are due to tour this summer.
The show goes on for One Direction following video leakThe band's lawyers are investigating how the personal video was unwillingly obtained and published online.