Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has admitted visiting a New York strip club during a drunken night while representing Australia at the United Nations.
Mr Rudd issued a statement yesterday to News Limited papers, confirming he went to the club but could not recall the events of the evening because he "had too much to drink".
"If my behaviour caused any offence to anybody whatsoever that evening I, of course, wholeheartedly apologise," he said.
Mr Rudd was in New York representing Australia at the UN.
New York Post editor Col Allan and Northern Territory Labor MP Warren Snowdon accompanied the ALP leader to a Manhattan "gentlemen's club", Scores, in September 2003, News Ltd papers reported today.
At the time, Mr Rudd was the shadow foreign affairs minister and travelled to New York at taxpayers' expense.
Mr Allan confirmed he and Mr Rudd had been to the club.
"Yes, it was at a gentleman's club and he (Mr Rudd) behaved like a perfect gentleman," Mr Allan said.
Mr Rudd said he recalled going to dinner with Mr Allan and Mr Snowdon in New York in 2003.
"After dinner, Mr Allan suggested to Mr Snowdon and I that we all go on for a drink. Mr Snowdon and I agreed," Mr Rudd's statement said.
"By that stage, I had had too much to drink. With the benefit of hindsight, I should not have gone on for a further drink. Mr Rudd admitted going onto the club was a poor choice.
"Notwithstanding the fact that I had had too much to drink, I have no recollection (nor does Mr Snowdon) of any incident occurring at the nightclub -- or of being asked to leave," Mr Rudd said. "It is our recollection that we left within about an hour."
Mr Rudd's behaviour reportedly reached senior Australian diplomats in the US. A diplomat told News Ltd his version of events involving "inappropriate behaviour".
"I have never been informed of any report of these events to any Australian diplomat," said Mr Rudd said.
"I would have thought, given the time that has elapsed since then, that I would have been informed or the matter made public as it would have been in the possession of the government.
"At the time, I raised these matters with my wife, Therese, and the circumstances surrounding them. I indicated to Therese that it would have been far better for me to have simply returned to my hotel after dinner."
Mr Rudd said he took full responsibility for his actions, including this incident.
"I have never claimed to be perfect but I make no excuses. I take full responsibility for my actions," he said.
AAP