Neil ’surprised’ By Gibson Controversy

VINCE NEIL was stunned when MEL GIBSON’s taped rants hit the internet earlier this year (10) because he has “never seen that” side of his friend.

The Lethal Weapon star was thrust into the spotlight over the summer (10) after audio recordings of his arguments with ex-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva emerged on the internet.

Gibson was heard hurling abuse at his former partner and the lurid content made headlines across the globe.

But Motley Crue star Neil, a longtime friend of Gibson, insists he was shocked when he heard about the tapes.

He tells Popeater.com, “Mel’s a great guy… I really was (surprised by the tapes). He’s a friend and I’ve never seen that part of him. When we used to hang out we would drink and smoke cigars.”