Mel Gibson has finally spoken out about his much-publicised meltdowns. He has, not altogether surprisingly, been only modestly apologetic.

As you will recall, last summer a tape emerged that appeared to show Gibbo directing a volley of insults – some tainted by racist language – at one Oksana Grigorieva, the mother of his young daughter.

He was sentenced recently to probation after being found guilty of hitting the unfortunate woman. Gibson did make it clear that he wouldn't blame people for thinking any less of him (that's big of you, Mel), but went on to claim that the recording had been very carefully edited to show him in the worst possible light.

"The recordings were one terrible awful moment in time, said to one person in the span of one day, and doesn't represent what I truly believe or how I've treated people my entire life," he said.

"I've never treated anyone badly or in a discriminatory way based on their gender, race, religion or sexuality.

"I don't blame some people for thinking I'm bigoted, though, from all the garbage they heard on those leaked tapes."

A robust character, he suggested to Deadline.com, a website dedicated to news from Hollywood, that he was philosophical about the fact that his career might be damaged.

"I don't care if I don't act any more," said Gibson. "I could easily not act again. It's not a problem."