A guest on Fox Business attacked Senator McCain in defense of the use of torture, saying 'it worked on John'.

Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney made the controversial comment on Thursday in a conversation with Fox host Charles Payne, as they discussed Trump's CIA director nominee Gina Haspel.

Haspel is known for supporting the use of torture in the CIA's post 9/11 program.

'The fact is John McCain, it worked on John, that's why they call him Songbird John,' McInerney said on air.

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Retired Air Force Lt. Gen. Thomas McInerney sparked controversy when he attacked McCain on Thursday as he spoke to Fox Business saying torture worked on 'Songbird John'

...Wow



Conversation on Fox about torture: "It worked on John [McCain]. That's why they call him 'Songbird John'" https://t.co/OjCwhv2ZhI pic.twitter.com/WehsgPAqgb — Leanne Naramore (@LeanneNaramore) May 10, 2018

McInerney, left, alluded that McCain succumbed to the demands of his interrogators during the Vietnam War in his slanderous comment

McInerney was defending Trump's CIA director nominee Gina Haspel, pictured above, for her role in the CIA's post 9/11 torture program

'The fact is those methods can work and they are effective as former Vice President Cheney said. And if we have to use them to save a million American lives, we will do whatever we have to,' he added.

However the comment sparked fury, as it pointed towards the five years of torture the Arizona senator suffered as a prisoner of the Vietnam war.

McCain was a Navy pilot during the war and was captured in 1967 after his aircraft was downed, leading him to endure years of torture in his captivity.

He even signed a confession apologizing for crimes committed against the North Vietnamese people but he insisted he never gave up any information, even going so far as to say he gave interrogators the names of the Green Bay Packers defensive linemen, according to the New York Daily News.

However he was nicknamed a 'Hanoi Hilton songbird' for allegedly collaborating with the enemy.

McInerney's statement alludes that torture worked on McCain and alleges he gave over information to his interrogators.

McCain has long been a outspoken advocate against torture, having suffered it himself for five years as a prisoner of war, pictured in a Hanoi Hospital above

The Arizona senator was held captive for five years after his plane was shot down in 1967, pictured above being examined by a Vietnamese doctor

McCain urged the Senate to reject Haspel for the role, based on her role in the enhanced interrogation program during the Bush Administration

President Trump, however, praised Haspel's performance and released a contrasting statement hours after McCain

McCain's wife took to Twitter to hit out on Fox Business host Charles Payne, writing: 'Please choose your guest more wisely', after McInerney's controversial appearance

Despite McInerney's controversial comment, host Payne made no comment and wrapped up the conversation saying 'Sir, thank you very, very much'.

Payne has since issued a public apology.

'My Apology to Senator McCain and his Family This morning on a show I was hosting, a guest made a very false and derogatory remark about Senator John McCain. At the time, I had the control room in my ear telling me to wrap the segment, and did not hear the comment,' he said on Thursday.

'I regret I did not catch this remark, as it should have been challenged. As a proud military veteran and son of a Vietnam Vet these words neither reflect my or the network’s feelings about Senator McCain, or his remarkable service and sacrifice to this country,' he added.

Although McCain hasn't responded, his wife Cindy fired at the Fox host on Twitter saying: 'Please choose your guest more wisely'.

On Wednesday McCain took to Twitter to denounce Haspel, who defended the 2002 torture of an Al Qaeda militant in a black-site prison, as a pick for CIA director for her 'disturbing' support of torture.

'I believe Gina Haspel is a patriot who loves our country & has devoted her professional life to its service & defense. However, her role in overseeing the use of torture is disturbing & her refusal to acknowledge torture’s immorality is disqualifying,' he wrote.

'I believe the Senate should exercise its duty of advice and consent and reject this nomination,' he added.

Hours after McCain tweeted his concern over Haspel, Trump tweeted praising her.

'Gina Haspel did a spectacular job today. There is nobody even close to run the CIA!' he said.