Mark Latham has broken his silence by saying he will “never apologize, never explain” after being heavily criticized for a “homophobic” tweet.
NSW One Nation leader Latham took issue with Independent MP Alex Greenwich calling him ‘disgusting’, writing: ‘Disgusting? How does that compare to sticking your dick in a guy’s ass and covering him in shit?”
His comment was met with widespread anger, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson outlining her anger in a video and calling for him to apologise.
However, Latham doubled down on his remarks, breaking his silence on Friday with a bizarre message, which linked to a 2019 article on Donald Trump about how leaders should never apologize, never explain.
The row came after Greenwich attacked Latham for giving a speech in front of a church, while Christian Lives Matter protesters reportedly clashed with LGBTQI protesters.
In response to the protest, Latham tweeted Friday night: “Met an eyewitness from Battle of Belfield last night who explained that the gay/trans mob had been protesting that church for 15 years.
NSW One Nation leader Latham took issue with Independent MP Alex Greenwich calling him ‘disgusting’ with a shocking tweet
Mark Latham’s comment was met with widespread anger, with One Nation leader Pauline Hanson (pictured) revealing her anger in a video and calling for him to apologize
Some parishioners snapped when they saw the broken crucifix and tried to burn it. Enough was enough. Why was this not reported?
“Doesn’t fit the story.”
He made no reference to his future in One Nation and it’s unclear if he spoke to Ms. Hanson.
Senator Hanson said Thursday night she had tried a few times to call the fired MP to ask him to apologize publicly, but that he had not responded.
‘I’ve actually tried to call Mark a few times, but to no avail. And I obviously texted him telling him my opinion,” she said.
“I asked him to apologize to the people. I’ll leave it at that. It’s now up to Mark to answer to the people.’
There are calls for Latham to be removed from the party and others for his role in the NSW parliament to be resigned altogether.
Mark Latham celebrated Trump’s 2016 election victory by wearing a MAGA hat on breakfast television (pictured). He channeled the former president in a tweet repeating a Donald Trump motto (pictured): Never apologize, never explain
But even if he were to drop One Nation – a big decision – Latham would no longer need his party’s backing or support.
On Saturday, he was re-elected to the upper house for eight years with a salary estimated at $170,000.
He could choose to leave the party and serve out the rest of his term – until 2031 – as an independent, as he has been offered a job in parliament until he is 70 years old.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe is leading calls for Latham’s resignation, revealing she found his comments “quite hard to watch”.
“What he did was really disgusting. I haven’t seen that kind of language in a long time,” she said.
“It has a real impact on the community, even on people like me, which was really hard for me to watch yesterday.”
In response to the row, Mr Greenwich said he does not expect an apology for the off-putting remarks.
“For those wondering how I’m doing after Latham’s homophobic attacks today, I’m doing well and more motivated than ever to implement the much-anticipated LGBTIQA+ reforms,” he said.
“And I have the most handsome husband.”
He has been praised for the stylish response he gave to the mean tweet.
There are calls for Latham to be removed from the party and others to resign his role in the NSW parliament altogether
Alex Greenwich has been praised for the stylish response he gave to the mean tweet. Mr Greenwich said he also expects no redress in the NSW parliament
Mr Greenwich said he also expects no redress in the NSW parliament.
Andrew Bolt launched a scathing attack on Latham over his homophobic tweet, noting that an old senior adviser to Ms Hanson’s is gay.
The Conservative commentator unleashed the NSW One Nation leader on his Sky News Australia program on Thursday evening saying Latham’s controversial tweet was something “an asshole” would write.
“Latham posted a tweet this morning that was so disgusting that even he was embarrassed and eventually deleted it, but way too late,” Bolt said.
“This tweet was so disgusting, so homophobic and so despicable in a pornographic way that I can’t even reference what he said about a gay politician, Alex Greenwich.
“It was something an asshole would write.”
The Sky News presenter pointed out that Latham’s behavior was a “real problem” for Senator Hanson and her party.
‘Latham spoils her. She’s tried to control him, but now this,” Bolt said.
“Does Latham know that Hanson’s closest adviser for years, a top guy, is gay himself?”
Bolt was referring to James Ashby, who has served as Hanson’s chief of staff for more than seven years.