Kathy Griffin provokes outrage

American comic Kathy Griffin has apologised for sharing a photo of herself holding the bloody, severed head of Donald Trump.

She said she 'went way too far' after her shoot with celebrity photographer Tyler Shields caused a major storm of criticism.

The President's son, Donald Trump Jr, led the protests, tweeting: 'Disgusting but not surprising. This is the left today. They consider this acceptable.'

Kathy Griffin Beheads Donald Trump in Shocking Photo Shoot (PHOTO) https://t.co/xr5j4aLsMP

— TMZ (@TMZ) May 31, 2017

He and other commentators called for Griffin to be sacked from her job hosting New Year's Eve celebrations for cable network CNN.

The image also shocked Chelsea Clinton, who called it 'vile and wrong', adding: ' It is never funny to joke about killing a president.

In a video apology, Griffin said said: 'I sincerely apologise. I am just now seeing the reaction to these images.

'I'm a comic. I crossed the line. I moved the line. Then I crossed it. I went way too far. The image is too disturbing.

'I understand how it offends people. It wasn't funny. I get it. I've made a lot of mistakes in my career. I will continue. I ask your forgiveness.

'I am going to ask the photographer to take down the image. And I beg for your forgiveness. I went too far. I made a mistake and I was wrong.'

I am sorry. I went too far. I was wrong. pic.twitter.com/LBKvqf9xFB

— Kathy Griffin (@kathygriffin) May 30, 2017

Published: 31 May 2017