Journalist Stan Grant has accused the ABC of failing to tell the truth or defend him against a “smear campaign” launched by another media organisation.

Grant, who officially quit the ABC this month, took to LinkedIn on Tuesday night to tell his side of a story that was published on The Australian newspaper’s front page that day.

The News Corp article cited Freedom of Information documents that revealed a “public bullying incident” involving Grant and a senior ABC colleague in the foyer of the ABC’s Sydney headquarters.

The newspaper wrote that a complaint was lodged against Grant days after he “allegedly erupted in a lengthy, expletive-laden tirade against the female ABC staff member” in front of colleagues.

Grant on Tuesday night responded to the report and accused the ABC of crafting a response to The Australian which he had rejected.

“For the last 24 hours I have been the subject of a smear campaign by media,” wrote Grant.

“I have also seen my former employer the ABC fail again to defend me. What journalists owe the public is the truth. Here it is.”

Grant went on to explain his version of the “unfortunate disagreement” he had had with a respected colleague earlier this year.

“I was deep in conversation in the ABC foyer with a friend and colleague who was consoling me over the sudden death of my niece 24 hours earlier,” he wrote on LinkedIn.

“I had also just returned from caring for my elderly, ailing father. I was in an emotionally fragile state.

“A colleague approached me in what I and the witness felt was a confrontational manner.

“Things escalated in a way they should not and things were said that were not acceptable. I accept responsibility for this. I should have behaved better.”

Grant said in hindsight he should not have gone to work that day but he felt an obligation to host the Q+A program before driving to deliver the eulogy at his niece’s funeral.

“This incident was resolved and no finding or sanction against any party. Now I am being smeared.”

Grant accused the ABC of failing to tell the truth and hiding behind bureaucracy.

“My family this year has been subject to horrendous racial abuse and violent threat. The ABC failed to adequately defend me,” he wrote.

“This past year I have felt used by the ABC and abused by others. This is destroying my family. I left the ABC because trust is broken.

“I left the media because I don’t believe it serves us well. It divides and it doesn’t care who it hurts. It is toxic.”

Grant, who has been a war correspondent, current affairs reporter and news presenter over his 40-year career, stood down as presenter of the Q+A program in May.

He cited racial abuse of him and his family during his appearance on the ABC’s coverage of the King’s coronation.

Last week Grant announced he had quit the ABC and was moving into academia with a dual role as professor of journalism and director of the Constructive Institute, working out of Monash University.