KEY POINTS:
To paraphrase Elton, sorry was the hardest word for Tony Veitch (above left) this week.
It took over two days for the usually prone motor-mouth to utter that one little word, ever since news broke on Monday about the assault on his former girlfriend Kristin Dunne-Powell (above right).
He fronted up to his colleagues in the media yesterday afternoon, admitting guilt and blaming work stress - that old chestnut.
Call me unsympathetic. Call me heartless. But in my opinion no one can ever use the pressures of work life and lack of sleep as an excuse for violence - especially a violent account so heinous it is alleged the victim broke four vertebrae in her back and was wheelchair bound.
Veitch said there were no excuses and admitted it was "something I will regret to the end of my days."
Sorry Tony, it will take more than that to win me back. Why didn't you pipe up with an apology sooner?
To give the media star credit, he did front up... finally. After he was boxed in to a corner with a 'please explain' note nailed to the door of his career.
But front up he did. Question is, how many PR hacks were needed to screw in that lightbulb? You can bet spin doctors from TVNZ and RadioSport have been in crisis management talks all week.
They see-sawed from standing by him at work a la Tammy Wynette style on Monday, to accepting his decision to step down while reviews were made into the allegations on Tuesday.
One day later - Wednesday - the review came in: 'fess up, Tony.
At the confessional table, Veitchy walked a tightrope balancing a sombre forgive-me tone with the air of confidence of a man who held the floor. Even his sartorial attire reflected this tricky balancing act: soft-gray suit ('forgive me'); strong red polka-dot tie ('listen to what I have to say'). Did he sound genuinely contrite? Or did he sound like a desperate man with a name to clear?
One thing's certain: Veitch left too many questions unanswered as he bolted to the door after reading his pre-prepared statement. How much hush money did he pay? What was the extent of Dunne-Powell's injuries? Was her back broken? Was she in a wheel chair? And if he's truly contrite, will he be dobbing himself in to the police?
RadioSport boss Bill Francis was at the news conference for moral support. No surprise. The man is adored by all his employees so it's no wonder he was present for one of his biggest stars in his biggest hour of need.
TVNZ management's absence spoke volumes. You're on your own, it screamed loud and clear - as mud.
Exactly what TVNZ's position is in this sorry saga still remains unclear. Lisa Owen reported earnestly live on the six o'clock news last night that she couldn't get an answer out of her boss. News head Anthony Flannery was staying mum; so too were the network's PR team. The company CEO Rick Ellis released a statement announcing TVNZ would be taking Veitch's statement into account and they are still reviewing his position.
We, as the taxpaying public, are still reviewing TVNZ's position. Just how long did the state broadcaster know about these allegations? Why didn't they stand down their star pending an inquiry earlier?
Sorry can indeed be the hardest word, especially when you're Tony Veitch, TVNZ and RadioSport with a helluva lot to lose.
Rachel Glucina
