Graham Richardson, Mark Latham in fiery TV exchange

Graham Richardson and Mark Latham traded insults in a fiery exchange on live TV | WATCH

Graham Richardson and Mark Latham on Paul Murray Live. Picture: Supplied

Former Labor powerbroker Graham Richardson and former Labor leader Mark Latham have traded insults in an fiery exchange on live television.

As panellists on the Paul Murray Live program on Sky News, Richardson said Latham’s former Labor supporters would be “rolling in their graves” and called him a “king rat” and a “shyster”.

“You don’t believe anything that comes out of the Labor Party any more — the party that built you, the party that made you. Those people in Green Valley who contributed to you when you were going to university, they’re either rolling in their graves or they’re shaking their heads if they’re still alive,” Richardson said.

“It’s a tragedy and it’s sad, Mark. You were once on the path to greatness. I don’t know what happened.”

.@RealMarkLatham vs @SkyNewsRicho #PMLive @pm_live #Auspol pic.twitter.com/hlIklGFfxk

— Sal - (@Achh15) July 9, 2018

Latham, equally incensed, responded by referring to Richardson’s former relationship with property developer Ron Medich, allegations of a Swiss bank account and former NSW Labor MP Eddie Obeid.

“What a load of rubbish, what a load of rubbish,” Richardson replied.

“I’m not taking lectures from you,” Latham replied. “Don’t you tell me what’s sad.”

“When it comes to being a shyster, don’t you ever lecture me on personal behaviour,” Richardson responded.

“You’re not just a rat, You’re a king rat. I’ll tell you something about king rats, it’s not that case that everybody else changes and pure Mark Latham stays the same. That’s what you love to claim.”

The conversation involved an interview with One Nation senator Pauline Hanson, who said it would be “fantastic” to have Latham on the floor of parliament with her.

“I have a lot of time for Mark Latham and his views, so do a lot of people in Australia,” she said.

“I think some of Mark’s knowledge and experience and willing to speak against political correctness is much needed. If I had Mark beside me on the floor of parliament, then fantastic.”

Latham, meanwhile, did not rule out running on a One Nation ticket but said Australia would benefit from a stronger “third force”.

“I can tell you for sure in a two party system, if you’re marginally faster than the other slow horse than you win the race,” he said. “And it is a race to the bottom. It’s lowest common denominator stuff … I’ve not made any decision (about running).”