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THE Australian defence force has apologised to a Bollywood actress for airing rumours that she had sex with troops while touring a military base in Afghanistan.
London-based Australian star Tania Zaetta is considering suing the Defence Department over the scandal, which centres on a morale-boosting tour she made to Australian military bases in Afghanistan last month.
The department apologised to her late on Thursday, expressing regret that a ministerial briefing note, known as a 'hot issues paper', detailing the rumours had named her and become public.
However, on the substance of the allegation that Ms Zaetta had sex with special forces soldiers on the trip, the department would only say: 'We are unable to comment as the investigation is ongoing.'
Ms Zaetta has strenuously denied the claims, labelling them 'ridiculous' and 'hurtful'.
She has said she is briefing lawyers and is concerned the scandal could damage her career in Bollywood.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said Ms Zaetta was entitled to pursue legal action based on the advice she received from her lawyers.
He said the Defence Department was conducting two inquiries, one to try to find out what, if anything, happened in Afghanistan; and the other to look at how the document containing the allegations was handled.
'There's an investigation under way. I've been in this business for a long time, let's wait till all the facts are on the table,' he told Channel Nine television yesterday.
Ms Zaetta, 37, rose to prominence in Australia as a host of the game show Who Dares Wins.
In recent years, she has appeared in a number of Bollywood productions, including blockbuster movies like Salaam Namaste and Bunty Aur Babli.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
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