Justin Trudeau 'brownface' photo: Canadian PM apologises after image emerges of him in make-up at Arabian Nights-themed gala

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised after a photo emerged showing him wearing “brownface” at a private school gala in 2001.

Addressing the image, which was obtained by Time Magazine, Mr Trudeau said he was “deeply sorry" for his actions and “should have known better”.

The yearbook picture shows the PM with skin-darkening make-up on his face and hands at the West Point Grey Academy in Vancouver, where Mr Trudeau had been a teacher.

It emerged less than five weeks before a national vote in which he faces a tough fight for re-election.

"I should have known better then, but I didn't and I did it and I'm deeply sorry," Mr Trudeau told reporters on his campaign plane in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

His comments were carried live on Canadian television.

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Justin Trudeau apologises for 'brownface' photo

Time said the image was provided by Vancouver businessman Michael Adamson earlier this month.

Mr Adamson was part of the West Point Grey Academy community where Mr Trudeau, then 29, worked at the time, the magazine said.

"I dressed up in an Aladdin costume and put makeup on. I shouldn't have done it," Mr Trudeau said.

The picture shows him wearing a turban and a white robe, with his face covered in dark makeup.

Mr Trudeau is locked in a tight battle with Conservative leader Andrew Scheer ahead of the Oct. 21 federal election.

Canadian Conservative Party leader Andrew Scheer said his Liberal rival is unfit to govern the country and described his actions as racist.

"I was extremely shocked and disappointed when I learned of Justin Trudeau's actions this evening," Mr Scheer told reporters in comments broadcast live from an airport in Quebec where he was campaigning for the October 21 national election.

"Wearing brown face is an act of open mockery and racism. What Canadians saw this evening is someone with a complete lack of judgment and integrity and someone who's not fit to govern this country."