Mel Gibson's brother: 'He is not racist, anti-gay'

Mel Gibson's adopted brother has leapt to his sibling's defence.

Andrew Gibson, who came out as gay over 20 years ago, said that Mel was always supportive to him and is not an "abusive" person despite accounts of the star using homophobic and racist language.

Andrew, who is 43 years old, told The Sunday Telegraph: "When I heard them I just thought: 'That isn't Mel.' He has never said anything abusive, aggressive or racist in his life. I just had to turn the TV off and turn it to the wall for two weeks so I didn't have to listen. The rest of the family did the same."

The Mad Max star's sibling admitted that Mel did make anti-gay comments during a 1991 interview, but said: "He's a straight man and he was illustrating that fact. He never meant to upset anyone. I have never once heard anything anti-gay come out of his mouth.

"[Coming out] was one of the most terrifying things I have ever done. I was 22. When I told my dad he cried and blamed himself - he felt he had done something wrong. That broke my heart and I told him it wasn't my fault. I think they all suspected.

"I was at a family dinner at ARIA restaurant when I told Mel. He just said: 'It's not my choice, but I love you and you're my brother.'"

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Andrew also revealed that he found it "funny" when Mel first shot to fame but said that he finds it "incredibly sad" that he is divorcing his wife Robyn Moore. He said: "Something wasn't right and when I heard, it confirmed what I thought. Robyn is wonderful and has been there since the beginning. It's just that sometimes people fall out of love with each other."

Mel and Moore recently agreed upon a divorce settlement in order to end their 28-year marriage. He is also in the middle of full custody negotiations for his daughter with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva.

The actor was recently named alongside cricketer Shane Warne as two of Australia's least-trusted celebrities.

Watch the trailer for Mel Gibson's The Beaver below: