Pauline Hanson has criticized One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham for a ‘disgusting’ homophobic tweet he sent to a gay MP.
The senator posted a scathing video on Facebook making it clear that her party did not “approve” of Mr Latham’s tweet.
Ms Hanson called on Mr Latham to make a public apology, adding that she had tried calling him a few times ‘to no avail’.
She discussed his comments and said: ‘I want you to know that I don’t approve of them and neither do my MPs or fellow party members. I find them disgusting.
‘I’ve actually tried to call Mark a few times, but to no avail. And I obviously texted him with my opinion.
“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.’
Her fiery video statement came after Mr Latham’s astonishing tweet, which was in response to gay Labor Party Alex Greenwich punching him as a ‘disgusting person’.
In response to the gay MP’s comments on Thursday morning, Mr Latham wrote: ‘Disgusting? How does that compare to sticking your dick in a guy’s ass and covering him in shit?”
His tweet has since been deleted, but he has yet to respond to the matter.
State One Nation leader Mark Latham (pictured) has penned a homophobic tweet after Independent MP Alex Greenwich called him a ‘disgusting human being’
Latham wrote, “Disgusting? How does that compare to sticking your dick in a guy’s ass and covering him in shit?”
Mr Greenwich had blown up Latham after ‘Christian Lives Matter’ and LGBTQI protesters clashed violently outside St Michaels Church in Belfield, south-west Sydney, where he was speaking.
Three men were arrested that evening for allegedly attacking protesters from the Community Action for Rainbow Rights group.
“Mark Latham is a disgusting human being and people who are considering voting for One Nation should realize that they are voting for an extremely hateful and dangerous person who is at risk of doing a lot of damage to our state,” Greenwich said at a news conference. .
The One Nation state leader’s shocking response was criticized by several leading political figures.
NSW Labor upper house chief Penny Sharpe said she was “physically ill” from the now-deleted tweet.
“Homophobia is always unacceptable and there is never an excuse,” she said.
“Mr. Latham must immediately apologize to Alex Greenwich.”
Pauline Hanson posted a scathing video to Facebook making it clear that her party did not ‘approve’ of Mr Latham’s tweet
Twitter users, including Conservative commentator and former commando Heston Russell, also condemned Mr Latham.
“You can’t be serious – this is absolutely pathetic @realmarklatham – true character is shown during crisis and success mate, and you have failed miserably,” wrote Mr. Russell.
Veteran 10 News reporter Hugh Riminton tweeted, “Extraordinary. This is One Nation NSW leader Mark Latham today referring to another elected politician who happens to be gay.”
Refugee lawyer Shane Bazzi said: ‘Mark Latham has removed these disgustingly homophobic tweets with no apology or explanation (not that any apology would be sincere anyway)’.
‘Is this real?’ asked another Twitter user. Latham’s tweet was deleted after about an hour.
NSW Environment Minister Penny Sharpe has said so The protector she was ‘physically ill’ from the comment and has called on Latham to apologise.
Veteran journalist Deborah Knight labeled the tweet “extremely unacceptable” on her 2 GB radio show.
“Mark Latham’s tweet is off the charts,” she said.
“I won’t repeat it, I can’t, what he wrote is something you would never say”
“Mark Latham needs to take a good look in the mirror for posting stuff like this.”
Alex Greenwich declined to comment on Latham’s tweet when approached by Daily Mail Australia. Latham has been contacted for comment.
The One Nation leader responded to comments by Independent MP Alex Greenwich (pictured), who urged potential Latham supporters to “realize that they are voting for an extremely hateful and dangerous individual”
Former commando Heston Russell was one of many people who harassed Latham over the mean tweet
The extraordinary Twitter stoush came after as many as 500 ‘Christian’ protesters violently clashed with LGBTQ activists last Tuesday, when Mr Latham gave a speech at a church.
The activists claimed that Christian Lives Matter followers threw stones and bottles at them. Police said the large crowd also threw glass bottles at officers, with one officer being taken to Canterbury Hospital with cuts to his hand.
The terrifying clash was caught on film, showing the Christian group taunting the activists.
At one point, a man was seen throwing a punch into the crowd, only to hit the back of a woman’s head.
She was then heard screaming and crying as a friend put his arm around her.
The war of words between the two politicians was sparked by a violent clash between ‘Christian’ Lives Matter’ and LGBTQI protesters outside a church where Latham was speaking
Latham said police advised him not to speak that night.
“By not giving my speech, going straight home, the transgender protesters would have been able to cancel my freedom of speech and democratic rights as an election candidate, things that are sacred to me and that I’ve been doing for 35 years in elections, local, federal and state,” he said at the time.
“I didn’t see what happened on the front street, but I would like to sincerely wish the injured the best and thank the police officers involved for their work. No one should take the law into their own hands. Violence at political events is wrong.’