NEW YORK • The bassist whom shock rocker Marilyn Manson sacked - after accusations of rape by a former girlfriend - has apologised.

"I have only recently been made aware of these allegations from over 20 years ago," Jeordie White said in a statement. "I do not condone non-consensual sex of any kind.

"I will be taking some time to spend with my family and focus on maintaining my several years of sobriety," the 46-year-old added.

Manson said on Tuesday that he has "decided to part ways" with long-time band member White, who goes by the stage name Twiggy Ramirez and has occasionally been the group's lead guitarist.

"He will be replaced for the upcoming tour. I wish him well," Manson wrote on Twitter.

The dismissal came five days after Jessicka Addams, a fellow Goth rock singer best known as the frontman of Jack Off Jill, accused White of abuse, including rape, during their relationship in the 1990s.

She wrote on Facebook that he raped her with his hand around her neck and that her screams of "no" were loud enough that a roommate intervened.

In an echo of the unfolding scandal around movie producer Harvey Weinstein, she said a male-dominated music industry told her to stay quiet.

"The label blatantly feared the big machine behind Marilyn Manson would use its power to destroy not only Jack Off Jill, but my name as well," she wrote.

"The pressure and guilt of the inevitable repercussions of my rape story affecting my band's livelihood, happiness and success kept me silent for years," said Addams who, with Jack Off Jill, later toured as an opening act for Manson.

Meanwhile, Manson, who is controversial for his ghoulish appearance and lyrics about the occult, is recovering from an injury after a stage prop fell on him at an Oct 1 concert in New York. The band are due to resume the tour on Nov 5.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE