Australian prime minister Kevin Rudd has apologised for behaving badly to a RAAF female flight attendant when he did not get the food he wanted on a VIP flight from Port Moresby to Canberra earlier this year.
Rudd has been deeply embarrassed by the disclosure of the incident, especially as he faced questions during a news conference after the G20 leaders' summit in London.
It was reported that Rudd reduced the flight attendant to tears when he had a temper tantrum over the unavailability of a "special meal" which fitted a non-red meat diet he was on.
An official report was filed by the flight crew about the behaviour of VIP No.1, Rudd, after the flight from Port Moresby to Canberra in late January, The Daily Telegraph reports.
Rudd, who had attended the Pacific Islands Forum, was told by the 23-year-old flight attendant that his request for a special meal could not be met.
Sources said the PM reacted "strongly" and a heated exchange followed. The attendant burst into tears and reported the matter to the senior cabin attendant. She later composed herself and continued with the in-flight service.
"The crew were distressed but later in flight apologies were made by all," the report says.
But when Rudd was asked about the incident at the conclusion of the G20 summit in the British capital today, he said he did not "observe" any tears over the matter.
"As I recall it, there was a flight, I think from Port Moresby, and I had a discussion with, I think, one of the attendants on the provision of food. It didn't last very long and if anyone was offended by that, including the attendant concerned, of course, I apologise," Rudd said.
Rudd said that as he recalled, he told a member of the crew not to worry about the language he had used.
"As I said, if anyone took offence, of course, I apologise for it. Prime ministers make mistakes, I'm sure I've made mistakes, that'd be one of them. If people have been offended, I apologise for it."
