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Tue 24 Apr 2007 In: New Zealand Daily News

A radio spokesperson for a well-known cleaning product has been severely reprimanded by company management after his homophobic comments on Radio Live led to complaints from listeners. As reported in a recent GayNZ.com article about the NZ AIDS Foundation boss's on-air discussion with John Tamihere, Wayne Harris from ‘Wet and Forget' told the radio host live on air: “I've been listening today and boy, you've got ‘em going. I listened to Rachael's call, and I put my fingers down my throat. I couldn't believe it, son… she keeps defending those tail gunners, I can't believe it!” Concerned people got in touch with us to say they contacted ‘Wet and Forget' management, with Company Director Rod Jenden replying swiftly to their complaints. “I did not hear the conversation on the radio that you refer to,” begins one email from Jenden, “but I in no way condone this type of bad taste behaviour. “I am outraged that one of my staff has acted in this way and he will be severely reprimanded. I apologise for his insensitive behaviour. Please except my most humble apology.” A further email from Jenden to another complainer went into more detail: “I rang the silly old sod today and roasted him for 20 minutes. He had no right to voice his opinion on this matter when he was representing my company. We do not share his views in this matter and I am sure that no thinking person would either. “This is a case of a rush of blood to the head from a person totally unqualified to make such statements. He was most taken aback from my tirade, and extremely embarrassed.” Wayne Harris's recent comments came as no surprise to other readers who contacted GayNZ.com to point out that the same spokesman rang the Leighton Smith talkback radio show on NewstalkZB ‘about two years ago', again to advertise the ‘Wet and Forget' products. According to emails we received, Harris responded to a story of violent crime by saying, “I don't know what this country's coming to, and now we've even got transgender freaks in Parliament.” His call was immediately cut off by Smith.     Ref: GayNZ.com (m)

Credit: GayNZ.com News Staff

First published: Tuesday, 24th April 2007 - 12:00pm

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