Leigh Sales: “That’s a lie.” Jeff Kennett: “I apologise.”

The fallout from 7:30‘s Amy Taeuber story has taken an unusual turn today with Seven West Media board member Jeff Kennett taking to social media to criticise ABC.

Sadly not a factually correct story. 7 not approached for comment so no balance. why does the ABC fail so often to seek balance in stories

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 26, 2017

But 7:30 host Leigh Sales hit back and reporter Louise Milligan also weighed in.

A lie. We sought comment from 7 and any board member or mgmt figure has an open invite for a studio interview. https://t.co/0ovRo3Incj

— Leigh Sales (@leighsales) September 26, 2017

An ABC spokesperson tells TV Tonight, “All the allegations were put to the Seven Network well ahead of broadcast, multiple times.”

Kennett has since apologised.

Louise I apologise. I have now been informed ABC contacted 7 Mon afternoon, just before your deadline, some issues you put to air not 1/2

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 27, 2017

1/2 discussed. That said my comment of no contact incorrect and for that I apologise I do not resile from the report being unbalanced Cheers

— Jeff Kennett (@jeff_kennett) September 27, 2017

Yesterday a Seven West Media statement said: “The program broadcast on 7.30 on Monday night on the ABC was neither accurate nor balanced. The allegations aired were not put to Seven for reply.”

TV Tonight understands ABC contacted Seven on Monday morning (not afternoon) and was subsequently issued the following statement:

“There was an investigation into alleged breaches of Amy Taeuber’s employment contract. She was dismissed because of what she said during the investigation, which conflicted with the facts and not for the reasons you’ve suggested.

“Seven’s HR team did not try to build any case against her and their investigation was not related to any complaint made by Amy about other staff.”

Jeff Kennett, a founder and former chairman of Beyond Blue, was previously criticised by a magistrate after taking to social media and claiming a “one-sided public portrayal” of the Amber Harrison / Seven scandal was unfair.

Today he maintained the company addressed conduct complaints “quickly and throughly” and were not taken lightly, “particularly by the Board.”