Sky News Australia has come under fire for broadcasting an interview with Blair Cottrell, a far-right extremist with a history of inciting hatred. The leader of the United Patriots Front, who has expressed admiration for Hitler, appeared on the Adam Giles Show on Sunday to discuss immigration.
Former Labor minister Craig Emerson resigned as a Sky commentator in protest, stating that his father fought Nazis in WWII and that the interview normalised racism. Greens MP David Shoebridge called for a full apology and urged other MPs to boycott the channel.
Sky News later admitted it was 'wrong' to air the interview, but did not apologise. The channel removed related tweets after complaints. Political editor David Speers called the outrage 'understandable' and agreed with a colleague who labelled Cottrell a 'fascist'.
During the interview, Cottrell argued for racially selective immigration and advocated taking white farmers from South Africa. He has a criminal record for inciting contempt against Muslims and has boasted of manipulating women using violence.
Sky News CEO Angelos Frangopoulos said the Adam Giles Show has been put on hold and that Cottrell will not be allowed back on the channel. 'We deeply regret featuring the interview,' he said, calling it an error of judgment.
