Plan B, aka Ben Drew, on the cover of Shortlist magazine.

Forest Gate singer and director Plan B has apologised after he mistakenly wore an offensive t-shirt on the cover of a magazine.

The rapper and film maker, who recently released the movie and album ‘Ill Manors’, was criticised for wearing what appears to be a Skrewdriver t-shirt in the most recent issue of Shortlist magazine.

The fashion choice was controversial because the 70s rock band were notoriously famous for their ‘white power’ stance but Plan B, real name Ben Drew, explained in ‘The Quietus’ that the t-shirt was custom-made and not official merchandise.

Plan B, a former student at Forest Gate Community School, said: “I was ignorant to the existence of the band Skrewdriver. I don’t listen to music like that so I wouldn’t know the names of bands that make that music. I was wearing a t-shirt I created using a photograph from the photographer Gavin Watson’s book Skins.

“I asked him if I could print shots from his book on to t-shirts. I made a number of these t-shirts. Gavin’s photos are relevant to me because they represent the demonised youth of the past.

“Just like my generation of young people are demonised in the media to all be hoodie wearing thugs and chavs so were the skinheads in the 80’s.”

The She Said singer went on to explain that he was ‘not aware of the significance’ of the band’s name written on the t-shirt above an image by Gavin Watson of his brother Neville in front of a graffiti-ed wall.

Plan B said: “The minute I found out what the words on the t-shirt meant I was angry with myself for not questioning them. The t-shirt is not official nor is it on sale anywhere. It was of my own doing and therefore it is my mistake, but that is all it is.”