London - Rolling Stones guitarist Keith Richards has denied a remark reported in a magazine interview that he snorted the ashes of his late father during a drugs binge.

According to reports Thursday, 63-year-old Richards has now said that his comments in an interview with the music magazine New Musical Express (NME) were ‘lost in translation.’

The magazine reported Wednesday that Richards, known for his formerly wild lifestyle, said about his late father: ‘He was cremated and I couldn’t resist grinding him up with a little bit of blow.’

Richards’ father, Bert, died at the age of 84 in 2002.

He had reportedly said in the interview that the ashes ‘went down pretty well’ and that his father ‘wouldn’t have minded.’

Richards’ manager, Jane Rose, said later that the remarks were made ‘in jest.’

In his statement, Richards said, ‘I wouldn’t take cocaine at this point in my life unless I wished to commit suicide.’

‘The truth of the matter is that I planted a sturdy English Oak. I took the lid off the box of ashes and he (Richards’ father) is now growing oak trees and would love me for it!’

However, NME interviewer Mark Beaumont said he remained convinced that Richards was not joking when speaking to him about the alleged incident.

‘He did seem to be quite honest about it. There were too many details for him to be making it up.’