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Shorten says 'bully' Latham should apologise for saying schoolboy was gay

Former Labor leader Mark Latham has been labelled a "sad bully" after he said on live TV he thought a Sydney schoolboy was gay because he appeared in an anti-sexism video.

The belittling of the schoolboy has drawn criticism from former Labor colleagues including Bill Shorten and Tanya Plibersek as well as state and federal education ministers.

On his Sky News show Outsiders, the former MP turned political commentator said he thought one of the Sydney Boys High School students who appeared in video supporting women's issues was "a d***head" and possibly gay.

"The boys at the boys school look like d***heads doing their video, total d***heads," Latham said, flanked by co-hosts Ross Cameron and Rowan Dean.

Mark Latham belittled a bunch of high school boys. Source: Sydney Boys High School
Mark Latham belittled a bunch of high school boys. Source: Sydney Boys High School

"I thought the first guy was gay," Latham added, referring to the school's captain Hugh Bartley.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said the comment was "sad, attention seeking behaviour".

"He's behaving like a bully and he should apologise," Mr Shorten said of his predecessor, Fairfax reports.

Mark Latham (centre) with co-hosts Ross Cameron (left) and Rowan Dean (right). Source: Sky News
Mark Latham (centre) with co-hosts Ross Cameron (left) and Rowan Dean (right). Source: Sky News


Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek said the teenagers in the video were "better men than Mark Latham has ever been."

"Mark Latham should be ashamed of attacking teenagers trying to make the world a better place," she said.

NSW Education Minister Rob Stokes said Latham's remarks were "unacceptable" and akin to "bullying" while his federal counterpart Simon Birmingham accused of Latham of cowardice.

Labor leader Bill Shorten slammed his predecessor. Source: AAP
Labor leader Bill Shorten slammed his predecessor. Source: AAP

"Adults in privileged high profile commentating roles need to be mindful of the example they set for the community," Mr Stokes told the Daily Telegraph.

"Bullying of any kind is unacceptable."

Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek, echoed Mr Shorten, saying the schoolboys were more man than Latham. Source: AAP
Deputy Labor leader Tanya Plibersek, echoed Mr Shorten, saying the schoolboys were more man than Latham. Source: AAP

Mr Birmingham said Latham should "pick on someone his own size".

Latham is standing by his remarks.

On Sunday's show he defended the comments and said he would beat on with the "anti-PC stuff" and those who did not like what he said on his show should stop watching it.

Mark Latham was ALP leader and alternative prime minister, at one stage. Source: AAP
Mark Latham was ALP leader and alternative prime minister, at one stage. Source: AAP

The video the three hosts were taking shots was called "Feminism is Important To US" and was released to coincide with International Women's Day and quickly went viral.

The comments were made on March 12, the weekend following International Women's Day, but have only just been brought to light.

Outsiders, which airs on Sunday mornings, draws about 31,000 viewers, according to the ABC's Media Watch.