Lily Allen has released a statement in response to the furore caused over her comments about cocaine earlier this week.

In an interview with The Word magazine, Allen was asked about the lyrics of a new song called Everyone's At It, taken from her forthcoming album It's Not Me, It's You.

Since the song's subject matter concerns drug use, she said: "I know lots of people that take cocaine three nights a week and get up and go to work every day, no problem at all. But we never hear that side of the story."

Anti-drug charities leapt on the 24-year-old singer's comments, accusing her of condoning the use of potentially harmful substances and setting a bad example to fans.

Allen has now released a statement in response to the negative publicity, which reads: "Lily Allen would like to state unequivocally that she does not condone illegal drug use and has every sympathy with individuals and families whose lives have been blighted by drugs."