Radio host Alan Jones has issued an apology for a foul-mouthed, on-air rant about the latest happenings in Australian politics.

On his 2GB breakfast show yesterday, Jones used the slur in urging Finance Minister Mathias Cormann to show where his loyalty lied, with Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton eyeing a second challenge at the Liberal Party leadership.

“Anyone can stand… but they are mobilising to block Dutton,” he said.

“The n—– in the woodpile here, if one can use that expression – and I’m not going to yield to people who tell us that certain words in the language are forbidden – the person who’s playing hard to get is Mathias Cormann.”

Originating in the US in the mid-19th century, the phrase was understood to have referred to slaves who kept themselves hidden while trying to escape to freedom.

The phrase was then adopted as a figure of speech meaning a fact or problem that has been hidden. However, it has been considered offensive for some time now.

Soon after using the racial slur, Jones owned up to us mistake on Twitter.

We all make mistakes. This morning on 2GB and 4BC I spoke about the covert actions of some political operatives in the current leadership challenges within the Liberal Party 1/2

— Alan Jones (@AlanJones) August 23, 2018

I used an old and offensive figure of speech that I regret saying. People should be honest and forthright in their actions and that is not happening in the Liberal Party right now. I will have more to say on this tomorrow 2/2

— Alan Jones (@AlanJones) August 23, 2018

He then followed up the social media posts with a formal apology on his show this morning.

Yesterday, I broadcast a phrase that was inappropriate.

I accept not only was it offensive, but the criticism is legitimate.

Radio is a live medium and we all make mistakes.

This was a mistake and I have no difficulty in apologising. pic.twitter.com/X6lYpmmbYF

— Alan Jones (@AlanJones) August 23, 2018

Macquarie Media declined to comment any further on the matter, other than to tell B&T that it stood by the statement made by Jones on social media yesterday and in his show this morning.