EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW finally apologises to SEB COSTELLO after ‘defamatory’ tweet

Six weeks after the original post, EDWINA BARTHOLOMEW has finally issued a formal apology for a ‘late-night defamatory tweet’ she posted about Nine reporter, SEB COSTELLO.

On Friday evening, Bartholomew returned to Twitter to post:

“On 14/9 I made a statement on Twitter about @sebcostello9. While I won’t repeat it, what I said about him was false, hurtful and completely inappropriate.

I unreservedly apologise to Seb and his family for the hurt and offence my words caused.”

On 14/9 I made a statement on Twitter about @sebcostello9. While I won’t repeat it, what I said about him was false, hurtful and completely inappropriate . I unreservedly apologise to Seb and his family for the hurt and offence my words caused.

— Edwina Bartholomew (@edwina_b) October 25, 2019

TV Blackbox understands the apology was published after a legal mediation process occurred between affected parties.

While TV Blackbox is unable to report on the full detail of the original tweet. We can confirm the message went well beyond mere ‘name-calling’ and did not appear to be intended for public consumption.

Bartholomew’s tweet was sent in response to a post from Nine News about their reporter Seb Costello reporting live from Spring Street, which was shut down due to a security scare.

Her tweet, which we have to censor for legal reasons said:

“Surprisingly articulate for a (CENSORED)”

The tweet was taken down 50 minutes later after frantic calls from people at Seven trying to contact Bartholomew, who was in London at the time, and had gone to sleep after the post was made.

Seb Costello is the son of former Federal Treasurer and Nine Chairman Peter Costello. He also confirmed he would be talking with lawyers today.

In the days after the original post, The Daily Telegraph reported Channel 7 was initially ‘amused’ at the idea of Nine taking the popular Sunrise presenter to court.

“There is no way in God’s earth Nine will have this play out in a courtroom,”

“They are bluffing by saying they will take legal action.”

The comments only added fuel to the fire for staff at Nine who were appalled at the situation. One source told TV Blackbox last month;

“There’s been no proper apology as far as we’re concerned, if the case were to end up in court, the onus would be on Bartholomew to prove the statement was true, as truth can be used as a defence.”

The biggest lesson for everyone is to be careful when direct messaging.