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Sydney broadcaster Alan Jones has been condemned as being "cruel and offensive" in comments he made about Prime Minister Julia Gillard's late father at a Liberal function last week.
In an address to the Sydney University Liberal Club president's dinner last Saturday, Jones claimed Ms Gillard's father "died of shame" because of the political "lies" his daughter told.
In a secret recording by a News Limited journalist, members of the audience at the $100-per-head dinner can be heard gasping with surprise at the comments.
"Every person in the caucus of the Labor Party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar," Jones said.
"The old man died a few weeks ago of shame.
"To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for Parliament."
Jones also suggested that Ms Gillard's "tears of grief" for her 83-year-old father sparked a leap in the polls.
The Prime Minister's father, John Gillard, died earlier this month after battling illness for several years.
Ms Gillard described him as her inspiration. Others described him as a proud father.
Jones's comments have sparked a vicious backlash around the country.
On Twitter, Liberal frontbencher Malcolm Turnbull was quick to react, labelling the comments as cruel and offensive.
"Alan Jones' comments about the late John Gillard were cruel and offensive," Mr Turnbull said.
"He (Jones) should apologise to the PM and her family."
Federal Trade Minister Craig Emerson earlier lashed out at Opposition leadership, saying it has had "ample time to repudiate" the comments made at the Liberal function.
'Out of context'
The Sydney University Liberal Club has this morning apologised for Jones's comments, but says they were taken out of context.
"We apologise for recent comments. Although out of context and not our own, they've caused offence and distracted from the national debate," it posted on Twitter.
The day after the speech, the club tweeted: "Brilliant speech by Alan Jones last night. It's no wonder he's the nation's most influential broadcaster!"
That tweet has since been deleted.
2GB has also moved to distance itself from Jones's comments.
Broadcaster Mike Williams was hosting the graveyard shift overnight when a talkback caller asked him about what Jones said.
Williams says Jones was not speaking as a representative of the radio station.
"I'm not going to make comment on that. What Alan Jones does in the privacy of his speeches and what he does around the traps, it certainly wasn't done at the radio station, so that's up to Alan Jones," he said.
'Pathological pursuit'
Former New South Wales Labor MP Meredith Burgmann says Alan Jones is on a "pathological pursuit" of Ms Gillard.
It's quite clear that it's gone beyond political discussion," she said.
"It is now a pursuit, it's gender language, it's quite misogynistic.
"What he said the other night when he thought he was saying it among friends is just the final remark in a series of vicious, vicious attacks on the Prime Minister."
Video: Feminist slams Jones's 'pathological pursuit' of Gillard (ABC News)
Jones says PM's father 'died of shame' - ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
