Become a Member
News

Reports that Mel Gibson used chat show appearance to excuse past antisemitism are false, says BBC

A number of publications had said that Gibson made comments attempting to dismiss his infamous 2006 antisemitic outburst

November 27, 2017 15:37
Mel Gibson 2.JPG
1 min read

The BBC will demand corrections from media outlets which erroneously reported that Mel Gibson tried to excuse his past antisemitic comments during an appearance on the Graham Norton Show last Friday.

Publications, including the Independent and NME.com, said the Hollywood actor, who was on the BBC1 chat show with Will Ferrell and Mark Wahlberg to promote a new comedy film, had defended his comments by claiming he was drunk at the time.

The reports quoted him as discussing the incident in 2006 when he launched into an antisemitic tirade after being detained for a traffic violation.

He is supposed to have told Mr Norton: “I was loaded and angry and arrested. I was recorded illegally by an unscrupulous police officer who was never prosecuted for that crime.