Wednesday, December 5: Retired radio legend John Laws verbally attacked 3AW Drive host Derryn Hinch and veteran 2CH broadcaster Bob Rogers in a Sydney restaurant on Wednesday.
Hinch was dining with Rogers at Salon Blanc along Woolloomooloo's finger wharf before Laws - who had been eating nearby - approached the table, placed his knuckles down on the surface and, according to Hinch, said: "I want you to know, you two are the most despicable ***** I've ever met."
Hinch spoke to 3AW's Bruce Mansfield and Philip Brady on Wednesday evening, telling the pair it was not the first time this year Laws had verbally slammed both he and Rogers, saying that Laws had a shot during celebrations in Sydney for the 40th Anniversary of Talkback radio.
According to Hinch, at one point of during Wednesday's incident Laws said: "You're a failed alcoholic (Derryn)," to which Hinch replied with: "I guess that makes you a successful one."
Laws was flanked by 2UE Breakfast host Mike Carlton during the confrontation, the latter trying to stop his former colleague from abusing Hinch and Rogers.
For his part, Laws has since expressed no remorse over the incident.
"The conversation was a private conversation in what was said," Laws said in a statement. "And what I said I meant."
2UE Program Director Greg Byrnes, who had been dining with Laws, told AAP his version of events.
"Lawsie got wind that Derryn Hinch and Bob Rogers were at a nearby restaurant and took it upon himself to settle a few old scores," Byrnes said. "Derryn and Bob were having lunch at an outside table and Lawsie confronted them."
"No-one came to blows or anything but Lawsie felt they had been taking pot shots at him over the years and he thought it was a good chance to settle a few scores."
The clash between the media personalities was almost captured on Hinch's personal recording device. The 3AW host, on leave currently, was interviewing Rogers for a book he is writing and only turned his recorder off a moment before Laws began his reportedly five-minute long tirade.
It is believed there has been at least one complaint to Salon Blanc management arising from the fiery exchange.