Wright 'mortified' by Ulrika slip

Before discussing the stories making the headlines in today’s newspapers - a regular slot on his show - he said: ‘‘Some of you will be aware that my reference to Ulrika Jonsson’s alleged attacker ... well it was a genuine slip of the tongue, despite what some people have been suggesting today.

‘‘And I am sincerely sorry for what happened yesterday that includes anybody embarrassed - including Ulrika.

‘‘Having made that clear, that story and others are in all the papers this morning, including reports that the man is denying those allegations.

‘‘It’s up to the man concerned to make his position clear and if he does we’ll report it on the show. That said let’s leave it and move on to what else is in the news.’’

Wright’s spokeswoman, responding to claims made by publicist Max Clifford that he had deliberately revealed the man’s name, told PA News: ‘‘There is absolutely no way that this is a publicity stunt or a deliberate mistake by Matthew in any way.

‘‘Matthew is absolutely mortified.’’

Wright mentioned the man’s name during an item entitled ‘‘trial by media’’ in which he discussed Miss Jonsson’s allegations with journalist and broadcaster Vivienne Parry.

Miss Parry was discussing two other women who had approached Mr Clifford about encounters with the same man. These women have not alleged rape.

She said: ‘‘This really is big trial by media. It sort of worries me that ... these two women who have now come forward, they haven’t gone to the police, where have the gone? Max Clifford. So I mean...’’

Wright mentioned the man’s name when he interjected to point out that, of the three women who have made allegations, one of them had published a book and the other two were ‘‘working with one of the highest profile publicists around’’.

The camera then focused on Miss Parry, who was staring at Wright in stunned silence.

Mr Clifford accused Wright of intentionally revealing the man’s identity live on air after he had refused to mention the TV presenter’s name.

He said: ‘‘Obviously I don’t believe that that was a slip of the tongue.

‘I believe that that was a calculated move and that has generated a lot of publicity for the presenter himself.’’

Ironically, Mr Clifford then inadvertently mentioned the presenter’s name himself in the live interview, saying that he and Matthew Wright were represented by the same agent.

"I was a guest on that particular programme and just before we went on air, I was asked if I would confirm the name of the presenter if Matthew mentioned it and I said ‘No’, so I don’t think it was a slip of the tongue."

The spokeswoman for Wright said the last thing he wanted to do was ‘‘compromise’’ his agent.