'Appropriate sendoff' planned for battered Clint Brown

Clint Brown

The Taupo assault that left TV3 broadcaster Clint Brown with a broken eye socket has also cost him his job.

TV3 announced last night that it had accepted Brown's resignation, but emphasised that it did not believe he made the racial remarks attributed to him by some witnesses.

In a statement, the company thanked him for his 17 years of service and wished him well.

"Clint Brown is a passionate New Zealand sports fan, and he has been at the forefront of some of New Zealand's biggest sporting moments," said TV Works chief operating officer Rick Friesen.

"We will celebrate Clint's 17 years of service to TV3 with an appropriate sendoff."

The broadcaster was not at home nor answering his phone last night, but he said in the TV3 statement that the past month had been enormously stressful for him and his family.

"I am pleased that the investigation into my violent assault has clarified what was and was not said. As a family we have decided that it is now time for a change. All that is left to say is thanks to TV3 for 17 great years and to the loyal viewers over that time."

Brown had been suspended soon after the incident following a night out drinking in Taupo on September 13. He had said that he was hit from behind by two men following a "verbal altercation" but witnesses said he was drunk and abusive and had been struck by the partner of a woman he insulted. They said he had abused a taxi driver and police and made obscene comments to a Maori woman.

Brown - a keen boxer who won his bout in the Fight for Life charity boxing event in 2004 - went to hospital with a fractured eye socket, severe facial bruising and chipped teeth.

Kazbar owner Peter Paul, who had denied entry to Brown that night because he appeared too drunk, said it was a "sad" development.

"He obviously brought his company into disrepute. Obviously these frontline people have to represent themselves and their companies properly. The whole situation was a bit messy.

"It was quite sad because Clint Brown has been quite a good frontman - I mean I don't know him from a bar of soap but he has been a good personality. He's been enjoyable to watch."

TVNZ head of news and current affairs Bill Ralston did not rule out a job for Brown.

"I think that's something for Clint to figure out - what he's doing next - and hopefully we can find him a niche, or Prime can find him a niche, or Sky can find him a niche, because I just would hate to see such a consummate sports broadcaster lost."