2GB presenter Alan Jones also hosts a program on Sky News and writes a column for The Australian.Credit:AAP
ME Bank withdrew advertising from Jones'show on Friday and a spokesman said it was reviewing its position over ongoing expenditure.
Jones'comment,made during last Thursday's breakfast program in response to Ms Ardern's criticism of Australia on climate change at the Pacific Islands Forum,drew widespread condemnation –including from Mr Morrison who described it as "way out of line".
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Jones – whose show is simulcast to Brisbane's 4BC and Canberra's 2CC – initially issued a statement saying his comments had been"misinterpreted"on Thursday afternoon,but did not apologise. He thencontinued to verbally attack Ms Ardern the next morning,calling her a"hypocrite"and"gormless".
Later on Friday,Jones wrote to Ms Ardern to apologise,as well as announcing his error publicly.
"My comments were careless and they should have been more clearly thought and to that extent I have erred and made a mistake,"Jones said on 2GB,which is owned by Macquarie Media."I was wrong and I apologise."
By that stage,ME Bank had pulled advertising following a campaign by Sleeping Giants – an organisation that pressures advertisers to,in its own words,"make racism,bigotry and misogyny less profitable"– and feminist activism group Mad F---ing Witches.