Former CNN Anchor Rick Sanchez Issues Statement Apologizing for 'Bigot' Rant

CNN host Rick Sanchez, left, was fired after comments in a radio interview about Comedy Central host Jon Stewart. (CNN/AP)

Fired CNN anchor Rick Sanchez apologized to Jon Stewart and anyone else he offended for what he called "inartful comments" given in a radio interview last week that  he said should "never have been made."

“I am very much opposed to hate and intolerance, in any form, and I have frequently spoken out against prejudice,” Sanchez said in the statement released by a South Florida publicist Wednesday.

“Despite what my tired and mangled words may have implied, they were never intended to suggest any sort of narrow-mindedness and should never have been made.”

Sanchez, 52, was fired by CNN last week following comments he made in a radio interview in which he called late-night funnyman Jon Stewart a “bigot” and said Jewish people were not an oppressed minority, telling the radio host that they were in charge of most media outlets.

In Wednesday's statement, the TV host, who was born in Cuba and raised outside Miami, said that he had had a “very good conversation” with Jon Stewart in which he had apologized for his “inartful comments.”

“I sincerely extend this apology to anyone else whom I may have offended,” Sanchez added.

The former anchor had some nice words for his ex-employer, thanking CNN for his "six wonderful years" at the company. He also described his exit in slightly more amicable terms than has been reported in the press, saying that in the aftermath of his comments, “CNN and I have decided to part ways.”

“I have tremendous respect for everyone there, and I know that they feel the same about me. There are no hard feelings - just excitement about a new future of opportunities,” Sanchez said.

As for his future, the TV host said that he would continue to promote his book "Conventional Idiocy."

“I look forward to my next step with great anticipation," he said. "In the meantime, I will continue to promote my book, 'Conventional Idiocy,' in the hopes of broadening the discussion to get a better understanding between all Americans, regardless of race, creed or religion."

NewsCore contributed to this report.