The Rev Jesse Jackson has apologised for “regretfully crude” comments he made about White House contender Barack Obama’s speeches in black churches during what he thought was a private conversation.

DEMOCRATIC presidential frontrunner Barack Obama has quit his Chicago church in the aftermath of inflammatory sermons that could become a lightning rod in November’s election.

Barack Obama said today he had resigned his 20-year church membership “with some sadness” in the aftermath of inflammatory remarks by his long-time pastor the Rev Jeremiah Wright and fiery remarks by another minister.

These are tough times for the Chicago Police Department.