Far-right Finnish leader Riikka Purra sorry in racist posts uproar

Finland's far-right finance minister, Riikka Purra, has apologised for a string of racist comments she posted 15 years ago that have just come to light.

Describing the posts as "stupid", she said she was sorry for the harm and resentment they had caused.

Ms Purra's Finns Party secured high-profile cabinet posts in the new government of conservative Prime Minister Petteri Orpo.

But in only three weeks it has been beset with accusations.

It is not a good look for a government that has barely got to grips with office, and for a prime minister who is due to welcome US President Joe Biden to Helsinki on Thursday.

President Sauli Niinisto, who was attending the Nato summit in Lithuania, suggested it would be wise for the new government to "take a clear stance of zero tolerance of racism" which was soon forthcoming.

Mr Orpo made clear on social media there was "zero tolerance for racism" and each of the government's ministers were committed to working against racism at home and abroad.

"I'm not a perfect person, I've made mistakes," said Ms Purra on Twitter. She also co-signed a government statement with Mr Orpo and two other coalition party leaders assuring Finns that the entire cabinet was committed to equality and non-discrimination.
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