Politician apologises for racial slur, bottom pinch

SYDNEY - NSW Opposition leader John Brogden says he will leave the decision to his party on whether he should resign over a racial slur he made against Bob Carr's wife.

Mr Brogden said today he had spoken to members of the Liberal party's leadership group, who had said they continued to back him.

"They've indicated that they support me, but obviously I'll speak to my colleagues throughout the day," he told the Nine Network today when asked if he would resign.

"The interests of the Liberal party on this occasion are more important than the interests of John Brogden."

Mr Brogden repeated his apologies, first made last night, for describing Malaysian-born Helena Carr as a "mail-order bride" at a function hosted by the Australian Hotels Association on August 5.

He also again apologised for pinching the bottom of Sunday Telegraph journalist Justine Ferrari and putting his arm around a Sun-Herald journalist and propositioning her.

Mr Brogden said he had to respect the views of his Liberal party colleagues on his future as leader.

"If it is very clear ... that my colleagues don't have any support for me -- and the leadership group indicated their support (for me) this morning -- but if it's very clear that the party's interests are being damaged on this occasion, then I have to think of the party before myself," he said.

Mr Brogden denied he was drunk at the August 5 function which could now seal his political fate.

"It was the week of Bob Carr announcing he was resigning from politics," he said.

"I let some steam off, and clearly I let that steam off in a completely inappropriate manner after having about six beers over a three-hour period ..."

Mr Brogden again offered an unreserved apology to Mrs Carr and the former premier for his "unacceptable comments".

"The same is extended to the journalists involved," he said.

"I am completely remorseful for my behaviour, for my comments.

"I'm not proud in any sense of what I did I did it in a social setting inappropriately, there are no excuses.

"My apology is sincere and genuine, as is my remorse."

Asked if he was concerned he would be rolled by his own party amid reports Liberal party members had tipped off the press about his behaviour, Mr Brogden said: "There were always tensions in political parties. This matter will clearly develop through the day.

"Political leaders always have fans and they have detractors. They have people who vote for them and people who don't support them."

He said that ultimately, his colleagues would decide his fate after his comments about Mrs Carr.

"I completely apologise for my tasteless and offensive comments, they are unacceptable, they are untrue and certainly do not reflect the fact that she has been, and is, a very successful woman in her own right and was a very dignified first lady of NSW serving her husband over 10 years."

Prime Minister John Howard said today that Mr Brogden should never have made the comment.

But he would not speculate on what the crisis meant for Mr Brogden's political future, saying that was a matter for his NSW Liberal party colleagues.

"His position and his future is in his hands and that of his parliamentary colleagues," Mr Howard told the Nine Network.

"That sort of comment is just quite wrong.

"I know Helena Carr and she's a very gracious person. That sort of comment should never have been made."

Mr Howard said he was sure Mr Brogden was "very remorseful" and noted his apology.

- AAP