Radio 702 talk-show host John Robbie apologised to Health Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang at the start of his programme on Wednesday. Robbie said he had not been under any pressure from the station’s owners, Primedia, to apologise for last week’s acrimonious interview with the minister. He said he listened to the interview again and realised that he had been “rude and unprofessional” in slamming down the telephone. “No rudeness was intended, I lost my temper out of frustration,” he said. “The interview was robust and lively. I don’t believe there was anything wrong with the line of questioning and I still believe the minister’s performance was poor.” The African National Congress has backed down from its demand for his dismissal. Regarding the ANC’s objections over his use of her first name, Robbie said: “I would not have used the minister’s first name if I had known she would be offended.” The fact that the issue had led to a national controversy was a surprise, Robbie said. “It’s now time for us to move on…what we should be concentrating on is the fight against Aids and other things”. He repeated a request for the minister to come into the studio for a second interview on the government’s policy on HIV/Aids.