Accused of striking police officer, US lawmaker says 'sorry'

0 Comments | AFP, April, 2006

WASHINGTON (AFP) — Representative Cynthia McKinney apologized for a recent incident in which she is accused of having socked a US Capitol police officer, saying the run-in and the ensuing controversy, was a "misunderstanding".

"I come before this body to personally express again my sincere regret about the encounter with the Capitol Hill police," McKinney told her fellow lawmakers on the floor of the House of Representatives.

"There should not have been any physical contact in this incident," the Democratic representative said, adding her gratitude for "colleagues who are standing with me who love this institution and who love this country".

McKinney made her apology as a federal grand jury weighed whether to bring assault charges against her in the case,...