Hedley frontman Jacob Hoggard, facing allegations of sexual misconduct and sexual assault, said late Wednesday that he is stepping away from his music career “indefinitely.”
In a statement shared on social media, the singer said he will complete the Cageless tour, which runs until March 23, and then “will be taking a serious step back in order to make real changes in my life, seek guidance from family and continue to grow and learn from the amazing women in my life.”
Hoggard, 33, insisted: “I have never engaged in non-consensual sexual behaviour in my life. Ever.”
But, he admitted that he hasn’t treated women well. “For this,” Hoggard said, “I am truly sorry.”
The singer – who was married from 2005 to 2009 – also apologized for disappointing everyone who believed in him. “I promise to work every day to regain your respect,” he wrote. “I know it won’t happen overnight.”
— Jacob Hoggard (@JacobHoggard) March 1, 2018
In a separate statement, Hedley said: "We clearly have some soul-searching to do."
The band said after the Cageless tour, the group is taking an "indefinite hiatus." They added: "To the people we have let down, we are truly sorry ... We will work every day of our lives to be better."
— Hedley (@Hedleyonline) March 1, 2018
Earlier this week, Hoggard was accused of raping an Ottawa woman in a Toronto hotel room in 2016.
Hoggard’s lawyer Brian Shiller said in a statement that Hoggard and the woman “made a mutual plan to get together to have sex and they did just that” and “at no time did Jacob act badly or do anything without consent.”
Hoggard has not been charged with a criminal offence and none of the allegations has been tested in a court of law.
Hedley called earlier allegations of sexual misconduct “unsubstantiated” and said “there are at least two sides to every story.” Admitting they previously “engaged in a lifestyle that incorporated certain rock and roll clichés” they insisted “there was always a line that we would never cross.”
The band subsequently took a different tone. “Saying a rock'n'roll lifestyle was to blame - or saying certain things happened because we were younger - isn't good enough. We owe it to our families, our crew, our friends - and most of all, our fans - to do and be better.”
On Wednesday, Hoggard admitted: “I was given a position of leadership and power and I mishandled it. I will regret this for the rest of my life.”