Nine chairman Peter Costello has allegedly assaulted a journalist, pushing them to the ground at Canberra airport.
The former federal treasurer and chair of the Nine Entertainment board was approached by a journalist from The Australian on Thursday afternoon and refused to answer questions regarding the sexual harassment scandal engulfing the Channel 9 news division.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Moment Channel Nine chairman Peter Costello allegedly pushes over reporter.
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As reported by The Australian, the altercation took place only a minute after reporter Liam Mendes introduced himself.
Mendes reportedly asked Costello why he had yet to publicly express his support for Nine chief executive officer Mike Sneesby since Channel Nine’s recently departed news boss Darren Wick was accused of sexual harassment.
He was then allegedly pushed to the ground by Costello, who continued walking through the airport.
“You’ve got to answer the questions, Mr Costello. Don’t, don’t. You’ve just assaulted me,” Mendes was reported to be heard saying in a video capturing the event.
Mendes ended up hitting the ground, landing on his back.
“Yeah, he like hit you … and I watched you fall over there,” a bystander told The Australian journalist.
When asked if he was OK, Mendes said he was “a little bit shaken up”.
More to come …