The Police’s drummer Stuart Copeland has been forced to apologise to President Michelle Bachelet of Chile after comments he made in an interview were viewed as derogatory.

Copeland told Chile’s Mercurio newspaper in an interview in October: "Look, the future President of Argentina would be good for one beer; yours (would be good) for four."

Although it’s not evident exactly what Copeland meant, many Chileans felt that his comments suggested that he found their female president, Bachelet, less attractive than Argentina’s president-elect Cristina Fernandez de Kirchner.

In a letter to Bachelet, Copeland said that his words were taken out of context, reports Reuters.

In the letter, which was released by the Chilean government, Copeland said he was “mortified” that his comments had reached the president.

He added: "If by chance you are able, Sting, Andy (Summers) and I would welcome the opportunity to personally express our admiration for you and your wonderful country by extending an invitation to you and your guests to attend our performance."

The Police are currently on the South American leg of their reunion world tour.