Trudeau apologises after 'brownface' yearbook photo surfaces

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has apologised for wearing brown face make-up to a costume party in 2001.

Time magazine has published the image, obtained from a private school yearbook, less than five weeks before he faces a tough election.

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

The picture shows a 29-year-old Trudeau wearing a turban and a white robe, with his face covered in dark makeup.

"I dressed up in an Aladdin costume and put make-up on. I shouldn't have done it."