The Australian broadcaster Alan Jones has apologised unreservedly for saying that the father of Labor prime minister Julia Gillard died of shame because of his daughter's political lies.
Mr Jones's comments, recorded secretly at a Young Liberals dinner, have sparked outraged calls for his sacking from Sydney radio station 2GB.
More than a dozen companies have pulled advertising from the station in protest, the ABC reports.
When Mr Jones returned to the airwaves on Tuesday morning after a public holiday on Monday, he said: "Those listening to this programme know that when I'm wrong, I have no difficulty in admitting I'm wrong.
"So I say on this programme upfront, my apology to Julia Gillard, which I sought to deliver to her in person but she chose not to take my call, which is her entitlement, my apology is without qualification or reservation."
John Gillard died last month at the age of 83 after being ill for several years.
"The old man died a few weeks ago of shame," Mr Jones told the dinner. "To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for Parliament."
Senior Labor Party figures have used the furore to attack opposition leader Tony Abbott, claiming he has created a political environment where "personal and aggressive" attacks on the prime minister have become acceptable.
Mr Abbott says Mr Jones's comments are unacceptable and offensive, but he is not ruling out future invitations to speak at Liberal Party functions.
NZ journalist defends recording
At the same time as apologising to Ms Gillard, Mr Jones has attacked the credibility of New Zealand journalist Jonathan Marshall, who secretly recorded his comments and made them public.
Mr Jones says his privacy was breached by the recording, and Mr Marshall did not have permission to be at the Young Liberals dinner.
Mr Marshall, who works for News Limited, told Checkpoint that's not true, because he registered for the dinner under his own name.
