Flavor Flav has responded publicly for the first time to the news that he and Public Enemy have parted ways.

Taking to Twitter late yesterday (March 2), the rapper addressed fellow founder member Chuck D, writing: "Are you kidding me right now...over Bernie Sanders. You wanna destroy something we've built over 35 years OVER POLITICS??? All because I don't wanna endorse a candidate, I'm very disappointed in you and your decisions right now Chuck."

His tweets go on to rubbish Chuck D's claims that Flavor Flav has been using drugs and "needs rehab," and also refutes Chuck D's claims about a lawsuit having been launched on Friday.

"I didn't sue you on Friday, I asked the @berniesanders campaign to correct misleading marketing, that's all it was," a further tweet from Flav to Chuck says. "I'm not your employee, I'm your partner. You can't fire me, there is no Public Enemy without Flavor Flav."

Public Enemy subsequently released a statement saying Flavor Flav was not fired for his political views. "Flavor Flav has been on suspension since 2016 when he was MIA from the Harry Belafonte benefit in Atlanta, Georgia," the statement reads. "That was the last straw for the group. He had previously missed numerous live gigs from Glastonbury to Canada, album recording sessions and photo shoots. He always chose to party over work."

This most recent spat between Chuck D and Flavor Flav arose late last week when representatives for the latter issued a cease and desist letter to Bernie Sanders' presidential campaign team over use of Flav's likeness in promotional materials for an appearance by Public Enemy Radio at a Sanders rally.

Public Enemy Radio is a separate entity from Public Enemy in that the line-up features Chuck D, DJ Lord, Jahi and the S1Ws, and not Flavor Flav. Lawyers for Flav said that he had "not endorsed any political candidate in this election cycle."

Following this, Public Enemy released a statement on Sunday (March 1), stating that they would be moving forward without Flavor Flav. "We thank him for his years of service and wish him well," it said.