NEW Colchester United interim first-team coach Wayne Brown insists he fully supports football's anti-racism work after speculation about his Leicester City exit more than a decade ago resurfaced in the national press.

Brown was suspended by the Foxes following allegations that he used racist language in the dressing room following a training session during his playing spell there, in 2010.

It was claimed that Brown allegedly told his team-mates that he had voted for the British National Party and he left Leicester, soon after.

But the newly-installed temporary U's boss says he is 'very sorry' for any offence caused - and insists he has never voted for the BNP and 'in no way, shape or form' holds racist views.

Brown told the U's website: “Football has done a lot of great work around anti-racism and diversity which I fully support.

"I am very sorry, and I also apologised at the time, if anything I have said or done in my past has offended anyone because as I have grown as a coach and matured as a person, I have learned from organisations such as ‘Kick it Out’ that words and actions, even if they are not intended to be offensive to anyone, can offend.

“I also support the strong messages that the club have expressed just recently concerning racism and diversity.

“I can confirm with 100 per cent certainty that I have never voted for the political party in question and in no way, shape or form do I hold racist views.

“Players that I have played with, players that I have coached, managers that I have played under and the staff that I have worked with in my career, along with my family, all know me and know that equality is a massive part of my beliefs and values.”

Colchester chairman Robbie Cowling brought Brown back to the U's in a full-time capacity, in 2013.

The former U's promotion winner has worked within the club's academy and has been in charge of Pitching In Isthmian League division north side Maldon and Tiptree, with whom Colchester have an alliance.

U's chairman Robbie Cowling told the U's website: “I was aware of the Leicester issue before I agreed to bring Wayne back to the club for the first time just under nine years ago, but I discussed the issue with him in depth and I accepted his explanations at that time before I allowed the club to appoint him.

"I have had absolutely no problems with Wayne of any nature since then.

"In fact, his behaviour has been impeccable in every aspect.

“I’ve got to know Wayne really well and he hasn’t shown any signs of having racist or offensive views. If he did, I wouldn’t want him paying to watch the team let alone managing them.”