The governor of the US state of Virginia, Ralph Northam, has apologised for appearing in a 1984 photograph showing a person in blackface and another wearing a Ku Klux Klan robe.
He faces calls for his resignation following the the publication of a medical school yearbook page, which showed the picture as well as several other photographs of the Democratic leader.
He confirmed in a statement he was pictured in a costume that was "clearly racist and offensive" and that the behaviour was "not in keeping with who I am today and the values I have fought for throughout my career".
It was not clear whether Mr Northam was the person wearing blackface or a KKK costume.
In a video tweeted shortly after the written statement, the governor said he was "deeply sorry" for the photograph.
"I cannot change the decisions I mad," he said. "But I accept responsibility for my past actions and I am ready to do the hard work of regaining your trust."
My fellow Virginians, earlier today I released a statement apologizing for behavior in my past that falls far short of the standard you set for me when you elected me to be your governor. I believe you deserve to hear directly from me. pic.twitter.com/1rSw1oxfrX
— Ralph Northam (@GovernorVA) February 2, 2019
Both Republican and Democrat leaders have called for the governor to resign in response to the released picture.
"It doesn't matter if he is a Republican or a Democrat. This behaviour was racist and unconscionable," Democrat Julian Castro, an African-American who would assume the governor's office in the event of his departure, tweeted.
It doesn’t matter if he is a Republican or a Democrat. This behavior was racist and unconscionable. Governor Northam should resign.
— Julián Castro (@JulianCastro) February 2, 2019
"Leaders are called to a higher standard, and the stain of racism should have no place in the halls of government," Democrat Senator Kamala Harris said.
"The Governor of Virginia should step aside so the public can heal and move forward together."
Republican State Senator Bryce Reeves said Mr Northam should resign if the photographs were shown to be accurate.
"I hope that this picture is inaccurate and that the Governor brings clarity to this issue," he said.
I hope that this picture is inaccurate and that the Governor brings clarity to this issue. This has no place in Virginia. If this is true, he should resign immediately. https://t.co/qY6yF91ipD
— Bryce Reeves (@ReevesVA) February 1, 2019
Mr Northam, an army veteran and child neurologist, provoked a furore last week with a statement advocating for looser late-term abortions in cases where the health of the mother was at risk.
Critics accused him of open support for infanticide, with Republican Ted Cruz calling the comments "heartbreaking".
Mr Northam said his comments had been taken out of context, saying: "I have devoted my life to caring for children and any insinuation otherwise is shameful and disgusting."
But the comments have proved politically explosive in a country where attitudes to abortion are sharply polarised.
Last week, Florida's secretary of state Michael Ertel also resigned after being pictured wearing blackface, while dressed as a victim of hurricane Katrina.
