Mark Latham has become caught up in another potential legal stoush after allegedly making defamatory comments about veteran broadcaster and presenter Wendy Harmer.
The former Labor leader labelled Harmer a "commercial failure" while speaking on Sky News over the weekend. Latham also implied the radio presenter was given a job at the "sheltered" ABC because she is a woman with a disability.
Harmer, who is the host of ABC Radio Sydney's morning program, has previously spoken about being born with a double cleft lip and palate. The condition was operated on when she was 15-years-old, but as a child she endured years of bullying.
The comedian-turned-broadcaster - who originally started her career as a journalist - has fired off a letter to Sky News via her lawyers, setting out what she claims are the defamatory nature of Latham's comments.
On Monday afternoon, Harmer called on the former Labor leader to apologise.
To be clear, a simple apology will do.??? Wendy Harmer (@wendy_harmer) March 27, 2017
It is understood Harmer is yet to receive a formal response from Sky News or the man himself.
It is the second time in as many weeks that Mark Latham has found himself on the receiving end of a potential defamation case.
Last week, former NSW premier Kristina Keneally lodged a formal complaint with Sky News after fellow poltician-turned-commentator Latham called her an "Obeid protege" on air.
While the program in question has been removed from Foxtel's streaming service, Keneally has not ruled out taking legal action against her employer.
Meanwhile, Sky News has been forced to issue an internal memo asking its presenters not to fight on air.
