Mel Gibson delivered an angry rant when being questioned by a Jewish interviewer this week.
The Braveheart actor was being interviewed by American newsman Sam Rubin while promoting his first starring role in seven years, in his new film "Edge of Darkness," with Ray Winstone.
In 2006, Mr Gibson allegedly launched into an antisemitic tirade at a Jewish police officer after being arrested for drunk driving. He is thought to have said: “F***king Jews… Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world.”
Although the interview begins cordially, by 1:34, it turns sour when Mr Rubin questions the actor about his alleged drunken outburts.
Mr Rubin says: “Some people will welcome you back, some people will say you should never come back.”
Gibson leans forward, asking “Why?” in a defensive manner.
He goes on to say: “Those remarks that were ATTRIBUTED to me. I didn’t necessarily make those comments.”
The actor, whose father once told the New York Times that the Shoah had not occured, then appears to allude to Mr Rubin’s Jewishness, saying:“I gather you have a dog in this fight… are you impartial?”
After his arrest he released a statement of apology, saying: “I am deeply ashamed of everything I said” and told US broadcaster Diane Sawyer that the remarks were the “ramblings of a drunkard.”
Mr Rubin says the interview with Gibson, who has never completely denied or confirmed making the antisemitic remarks, left him “confused.” He says he did not initially understand what Gibson meant when he asked if he had "a dog in this fight", and now regrets not challenging him.