Presenter apologises for offensive comment on Twitter

Justin Brown. Photo / Herald on Sunday

Radio presenter Justin Brown last night apologised for saying Kiwi director Jane Campion should be "flattered" about claims she was subjected to sexual harassment during an Indian film festival.

The best-selling author and part-time radio presenter posted a comment on his Twitter page on Tuesday, which said: "Shouldn't Jane Campion be flattered?"

The comment followed reports by The Times of India that Campion - who won an Oscar for best screenplay for her film The Piano - said she was subjected to lewd advances by Bhaskar Deb, husband of the Indian International Women's Film Festival director, earlier this month.

However, this week Campion said she was not personally harassed but had "bad experiences" with Deb.

Brown, the author of travel books UK on a G-String and Bowling through India, said he regretted posting the comment and admitted it could be seen to be offensive.

He said the comment was meant in jest and he was alluding to the fact Campion has "still got it".

"I don't really know [what to say] ... I can see why she would be upset," said Brown.

"It was just a flippant comment. I wouldn't say it again."

He said he meant no offence to Campion, or anyone else.

Campion issued a statement in response to the media attention this week, slamming the film festival for being "fraudulently presented".

As well as being poorly managed, she said she spoke to two other people who had sexual harassment complaints against Deb.

"I was not sexually harassed by the festival director's husband and did not make that allegation," she said in her statement.

"However, at least two other delegates I spoke to and a third I heard about, did have bad experiences with the festival director's husband, and I hear they went on to make allegations of sexual harassment."