A North Carolina congressman said that people are protesting in Charlotte because they 'hate white people for being successful'.

U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger, a Republican whose district includes parts of Charlotte, was asked by the BBC what grievance the protesters have.

In the video posted online on Thursday, Pittenger responded: 'The grievance in their mind is - the animus, the anger - they hate white people because white people are successful and they're not.'

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A North Carolina congressman said people are protesting in Charlotte because they 'hate white people.' Above, U.S. Rep. Robert Pittenger went on CNN to apologize for the remarks

He later released a statement apologizing and saying that his anguish over the situation led him to give a response he regretted.

'What is taking place in my hometown right now breaks my heart,' he said.

'My anguish led me to respond to a reporter's question in a way that I regret. The answer doesn't reflect who I am.

'I was quoting statements made by angry protesters last night on national TV.'

Pittenger, a Republican whose district includes parts of Charlotte, was asked by an interviewer for the BBC what grievance the protesters have

Chaotic protests broke out Tuesday and Wednesday in Charlotte after a black man was shot to death by a police officer

ROBERT PITTENGER'S APOLOGY IN FULL What is taking place in my hometown right now breaks my heart. My anguish led me to respond to a reporter’s question in a way that I regret. The answer doesn’t reflect who I am. I was quoting statements made by angry protestors last night on national TV. My intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African-Americans because of failed policies. I apologize to those I offended and hope we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte. Advertisement

He added: 'My intent was to discuss the lack of economic mobility for African-Americans because of failed policies.

'I apologize to those I offended and hope we can bring peace and calm to Charlotte.'

The North Carolina Democratic Party released a statement saying Pittenger's remarks were inexcusable and racist.

Chaotic protests broke out Tuesday and Wednesday in Charlotte after a black man was shot to death by a police officer.

The National Guard were deployed to prevent a third night of riots in Charlotte on Thursday and the city's mayor imposed a midnight curfew.

Protesters massed on the city's streets to mount pressure on police to release video that could resolve wildly different accounts of Tuesday's shooting of Keith Lamont Scott.

The group chanted: 'Release the tape! Release the tape!' - a reference to the police dash cam footage of Mr Scott, which Charlotte police are not making public.