Mel Gibson defends leaked recordings of himself calling his ex-wife a 'wh*re'.

Warning: this post contains content relating to verbal abuse. 

In 2011, a recording of Mel Gibson spitting a series of racist, misogynistic, and abusive rants at ex-wife, Oksana Grigorieva was leaked.

Now, more than five years later, the 60-year-old has defended his behaviour on Sunday Night, claiming it was merely one moment in time.

“You have to put it in the proper context of being in an irrationally heated discussion and breakdown, and trying to get out of a really unhealthy relationship,” he said during the interview.

“It was one terribly, awful moment in time for one person, in the span of one day and it doesn’t represent what I truly believe or how I have treated people my entire life.

"Imagine the worst moment you have ever had recorded and broadcast to the world. And, it wasn't meant to be public... but that's what happens.

"So, all in the past."

Despite saying he "regrets" the outburst, Gibson accused his ex-wife of releasing the tapes to extort him for more money in their divorce settlement.

The audio surfaced just one day after the court had made its final ruling on their settlement, looking favourably upon Gibson. He was not compelled to pay more than $US 250,000, according to reports.

In the audio, Gibson can be heard calling Grigoreiva a liar for not telling him she had gotten breast implants.

“You know, but they’re too big and they look stupid. They look like some Vegas b–ch, they look like a Vegas wh–e and you go around sashaying around in your tight clothes and stuff. I won’t stand for that anymore’.

Since separating from his second wife, Gibson is now expecting another child with his girlfriend of two years, Rosalind Ross.