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An Australian radio host was suspended for a four-week period after taunting the mother of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange with a Nazi slogan.

John-Michael Howson, co-host of 3AW’s Sunday morning program, sparked outrage on Sunday, after attacking Christine Assange's decision to cancel a pre-planned phone interview due to his treatment of a previous guest.

"I won't be doing an interview with you because you're acting like a pig," Assange told Howson at the time. Howson responded by shouting, "Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil! Sieg Heil!" on air, as Assange hung up the phone.

He later said that he was pointing out the "Nazi mentality" of those who tried to censor him.

Howson issued an apology saying, "I understand that many listeners took offense to these comments and I sincerely regret having uttered them.”

"I did not intend to imply that our guests or anyone shares the views of the Nazi party or seeks to control free speech and I again offer my sincere apologies," he said.

Station manager Shane Healy confirmed that Howson would be suspended for a one-month period, due to his offensive remarks.

Last year, Howson caused similar offense for verbally abusing a young radio producer and a co-host on air.