Capitol officials apologise

Washington: Top United States Capitol security officials apologised yesterday for ‘‘failings’’ during the attack on the building by followers of thenPresident Donald Trump in a bid to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s election victory.

The officials specifically acknowledged a number of missteps: conflicting intelligence, inadequate preparation and insufficient mobilisation of partner agencies, and called for improving accountability systems and communications structures.

‘‘I am here to offer my sincerest apologies on behalf of the department,’’ acting chief of Capitol Police Yolanda Pittman said, according to a prepared statement for the US House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee. ‘‘The department failed to meet its own high standards as well as yours,’’ she added. — Reuters