March 01, 2012
VC hero Ben Roberts-Smith has received apologies from Yumi Stynes and George Negus (insets). Main picture: Channel 7 Source: Supplied
George Negus has apologised for comments made about Australian Victoria Cross recipient Ben Roberts-Smith. Picture: supplied Source: Herald Sun
Channel 10 presenter Yumi Stynes also apologised for her comments. Picture: Julie Kiriacoudis Source: Herald Sun
GEORGE Negus has dug in over criticism of his offensive remarks on The Circle about Victoria Cross hero Ben Roberts-Smith.
But the long-serving journalist added insult to injury by getting SAS Corporal Roberts-Smith's rank wrong in his official apology.
The veteran broadcaster unwittingly upgraded Cpl Roberts-Smith to colonel.
Negus sparked a storm of condemnation when he questioned whether Cpl Roberts-Smith was "up to it in the sack" on the Channel 10 morning show, which displayed a picture of the war hero in a swimming pool.
Co-host Yumi Stynes said: "He's going to dive down to the bottom of the pool to see if his brain is there."
Both Negus and Stynes apologised on The Circle yesterday, in separate phone calls to Cpl Roberts-Smith and again on The Project last night, where they both also conceded they were anti-war.
Negus said on The Project that in his conversation with Cpl Roberts-Smith, "he didn't sound as though he thought I needed to make (an apology)".
Stynes admitted her comments were "uncool".
Negus said in a public statement yesterday that he meant no offence.
"I actually intended it to be a tongue-in-cheek quip about men generally with great bodies. In no way was it meant to be a comment or a reflection on Lt-Colonel Ben Roberts-Smith, directly or otherwise," he said.
Ben Roberts-Smith
Ben Roberts-Smith
Source: HWT Image Library
The war hero, who won the VC for taking on a nest of Taliban commanders in June 2010, said he appreciated the concerns of Australians yesterday.
"I would like to thank the Australian public and Australian Defence Force personnel for their overwhelming support. My wife and I were extremely touched by the outpouring of support and concern," Cpl Roberts-Smith said.
"I have read the statements from both Yumi and George and they have both since contacted me directly to apologise for any offence caused.
"I have now put this matter behind me so I can focus on serving my country."
Ben Roberts-Smith
Ben Roberts-Smith
Source: HWT Image Library
SAS Corporal Ben Roberts-Smith with the Australian Special Operations Task Group in Afghanistan.
Vietnam War hero and Victoria Cross winner Keith Payne was horrified by the insulting comments aired about his fellow VC holder on the low-rating breakfast TV show.
Mr Payne said he expected better of Negus. "That is putting everything below the belt and that is not the old George," he said.
His wife, Flo, said she felt for Ben's wife and family.
"I would have hated to see something like that done with Keith, it is not on," Mrs Payne said.
Jennifer Ward, whose son, Ben Ranaudo, 22, was killed in action in Afghanistan in 2009, said the comments on Channel 10 were insulting.
"We can live without TV stars but we can't live without our heroes like Ben."
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