INTERVIEW WITH MAR)K LATHAM ON ABC-891 TODAY (9.05 AM

The just concluded interview between former Federal Opposition Leader Mark Latham and Adelaide ABC Radio's Matthew Abraham was the occasion for a number of "slightly tense" comments.

"It's hardly innuendo to publish a book. Unlke Wayne Swan... I actually put my name to the material." said Mr Latham.

On disclosure of information to journalists by politicians, Mr Latham said "Everyone in politics does the odd "background briefing" Latham said that the normal information ratio was "five per cent public, ninety-five percent behind the scenes."

At one point Latham said "You're talking about obsession... at one point the media had a pretty fair obsession with me."

"The allegation was that I was sitting in a chair having someone's breasts rubbed in my face..... that's scary stuff."

"Why shouldn't the public know a bit about the way the media operates? Why shouldn't they know that a Mike Riley goes through politicians' garbage bins to get the stories?" Mr Latham said.

On discussing giving everone nicknames (in reference to News ltd's Samantha Maiden being named in the book as The Barfly): he said that "In the Australia I grew up in every second person had a nickname and that was known as a form of affection.

When asked if was damaging that raising rumours raises stories people may not otherwise have heard, Latham responded "Maybe in your perverted mind it does."

Latham had a few words to say about the tone of the interview: "You've got your highlighter out and look for any form of sexual titillation that you can find...your approach here today which is some form of juvenile sexual titillation" You should go and see someone who's read Freud and can give you better advice." He then referred to Abraham as a "perverted commentator".

Latham added that it was "..good to know that you [Abraham} haven't changed one iota.
You and the other gibberer [presumably Abrahams on air partner David Bevan] were well-known in my office"

Callers responses have criticed both Latham and Matt Abraham

Listen to the full ABC interview here