'We all make mistakes': Jones apologises for using racial slur

Sydney radio listeners have been subjected to a racial slur after Alan Jones once again dropped the N-word as part of a foul-mouthed rant.

The veteran broadcaster was discussing the leadership rumblings in Canberra when he turned his attention to outgoing finance minister Mathias Cormann. The 77-year-old said the finance minister needed to reveal his hand.

"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."

Alan Jones has once again used the phrase "n----- in the woodpile" while on air.Credit: AAP

Jones later apologised to listeners.

"We all make mistakes," he wrote on social media. "This morning on 2GB and 4BC I spoke about the covert actions of some political operatives.

"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."

It's not the first time the shock jock has used the N-word on air. Back in 2012, he used the phrase "n----- in the woodpile" to describe Malcolm Turnbull's leadership ambitions.

"Good stuff, Tony Abbott," he said. "You're there not to buckle at the knees just because a few little media outlets and sympathisers to Julia Gillard want you to. There's talk of Malcolm Turnbull, the n----- in the woodpile."

Jones hasn't just reserved the N-word for politics. In the past, he's used it in rants about cricket and even while advocating for farmers.

The phrase "n----- in the woodpile" was a term commonly used in the United States, with some believing it originated from a time when slaves were smuggled across the country under piles of wood.

Jones is the most-listened to Sydney broadcaster in his timeslot. Last month, he increased his audience share to command his best result since the end of 2016.

2GB has been contacted for comment.

Fairfax Media, the publisher of this website, is the owner of Macquarie Media, the broadcaster of 2GB and 4BC.