Rev. Jesse Jackson used the N-word during a break in a recent TV interview in which he criticized presidential candidate Barack Obama, according to CNN.

Confirmed by Fox News on Wednesday (July 16), this turn of events is sure to draw more criticism the civil rights leader's way, as he has already come under fire for crude off-air comments against Obama in what he thought was a private conversation during a taping of a "Fox & Friends" news show.

Jackson reportedly said Obama was "talking down to black people," and referred to them with the N-word when he said Obama was telling them "how to behave."

A Fox spokesman confirmed the claim, but declined to release a full transcript of the July 6 show.

"I am deeply saddened and distressed by the pain and sorrow that I have caused as a result of my hurtful words. I apologize again to Senator Barack Obama, Michelle Obama, their children as well as to the American public," said Jackson in an earlier written statement.

"There really is no justification for my comments and I hope that the Obama family and the American public will forgive me. I also pray that we, as a nation, can move on to address the real issues that affect the American people."