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German lawmaker apologizes after racist slur on Twitter

05 of January 2018

FILE - This Oct. 5, 2017 file photo shows Jens Maier, member of the AfD parliamentary group at the parliament in Berlin, Germany. The son of former tennis star Boris Becker, Noah Becker was pressing charges against Maier who insulted him with a racist slur. News agency dpa reported that the leadership of the Alternative for Germany, AfD, decided unanimously Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 to give Maier a formal warning and called on him to exercise more care in choosing and supervising his staff. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP, file),FILE - This Oct. 5, 2017 file photo shows Jens Maier, member of the AfD parliamentary group at the parliament in Berlin, Germany. The son of former tennis star Boris Becker, Noah Becker was pressing charges against Maier who insulted him with a racist slur. News agency dpa reported that the leadership of the Alternative for Germany, AfD, decided unanimously Monday, Jan. 8, 2018 to give Maier a formal warning and called on him to exercise more care in choosing and supervising his staff. (Michael Kappeler/dpa via AP, file)

A lawmaker for the nationalist Alternative for Germany party is apologizing to the son of former tennis star Boris Becker following a racist outburst on Twitter. Jens Maier claims the tweet directed at Noah Becker was posted by a member of his staff, who has since been disciplined.

BERLIN (AP) — A lawmaker for the nationalist Alternative for Germany party is apologizing to the son of former tennis star Boris Becker following a racist outburst on Twitter.

Jens Maier claims the tweet that was directed at Noah Becker was posted by a member of his staff, who has since been disciplined.

A lawyer for Becker said Thursday the 23-year-old had filed a criminal complaint against Maier.

In an unusual step, the party on Friday released a copy of an email in which Maier said he regretted the “mishap,” had issued a formal warning to the staffer and planned to apologize to Becker.

Maier, a judge from the eastern state of Saxony, is regarded as being on the far-right wing of the nationalist party.