Tony Abbott has given an excruciating radio interview about his friendship with convicted paedophile George Pell, in which he was evasive about the future of his support.
Speaking to 2GB Radio this afternoon, the former prime minister apologised for “bamboozling” journalist Ben Fordham by refusing to say if he would stand by Pell should his appeal fail.
While Mr Abbott, who is well-known for his praise of Pell’s character, would not reveal what they spoke about, he said earlier in the interview that Pell’s position in their private conversations was the same his lawyer had expressed in court.Source:News Corp AustraliaFordham acknowledged that the verdict was a bitter pill to swallow for any of Pell’s friends but asked if Mr Abbott would reconsider his longstanding support.
“This is a grim time, there’s no doubt about that. I have faith in the justice system so let’s see what that see what the law ultimately produces.”program in 2004, the then-Howard government’s Health Minister said Pell was a “fine man” andMr Abbott agreed that it was correct, in the eyes of the law, that Pell was now a paedophile.He said he would come to a settled conclusion after the appeal.
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