Shopkeeper claims Fed MP abused her over pie
Federal MP Bill Shorten has apologised to a Melbourne shopkeeper after he blew up over a hot pie.
Labor supporter Annie Huang, of Carlton North Foods, said the federal workplace minister became abusive when he walked into her store looking for a hot pie on Thursday afternoon and discovered she only had microwaved pastries available.
"The pies are soft, like Julia Gillard," he claims she told him.
Ms Huang insists Mr Shorten's anger then spilled over as he swore and shouted she had just lost his business as he stormed out of her store.
"He didn’t say anything turns around, opens the door and goes out, then turns around again and says 'You’ve lost business'," she said.
But Mr Shorten said he now believed the debate over his salty language had been blown out of proportion.
"All I wanted was a pie, not to debate the Government," Mr Shorten said about her "soft like Julia" comment.
"What I now accept, and that's why I unreservedly apologise to Ms Huang, is that she likes Julia Gillard.
"It's been a complete misunderstanding on my part, not hers. I appreciate I have misunderstood her."
He denies he swore at Ms Huang but is less firm on the details of his hasty departure.
"I certainly did exit the milk bar in search of my pie. I don't recall what I said then."
He said he eventually found a hot pie to his liking just down the road.
Mr Shorten said he called Ms Huang this morning to apologise.
"I am terribly sorry I have upset Ms Annie Huang over the pie shop matter," he added.
"Whatever the circumstances, there is no need for me to upset her."
