Lenore Zann has appeared in numerous film and TV roles. (Courtesy Nova Scotia NDP)

Nova Scotia's Liberal leader has apologized to actress and NDP candidate Lenore Zann after a campaign worker circulated a photo of her with her top off.

Stephen McNeil called Zann on Thursday to tell her it was a mistake.

Zann said she accepted his apology, but told him she was "dismayed and saddened" that the Liberals would do such a thing.

"It's dirty politics," she told CBC News.

A member of McNeil's campaign team sent the image of a bare-breasted Zann to CBC News on Wednesday, the day the NDP announced her candidacy in Truro-Bible Hill. The photo is from the TV show the L Word, one of the many shows Zann has appeared on.

The NDP accused the Liberals of playing gutter politics.

McNeil, who had said his party was the only one not running negative ads, refused an interview with CBC News. In a brief statement, the Liberals' director of communications, Glennie Langille, said the image from the TV show is "part of the public record."

Early Thursday morning, McNeil told reporters in Halifax he planned to apologize to Zann for the way she was treated and the way the information came out.

"It was not authorized by me, it is not endorsed by me and it will not be tolerated by me as leader of this party," McNeil said.

The Liberal leader called his campaign team together around 7:30 a.m. and said he told everyone that the campaign will continue in a "positive way."

McNeil said the release of the photo wasn't a reflection of who he is as a leader, nor is it the message his party wants to send to Nova Scotians in a provincial election that could be only weeks away.

He said the volunteer who sent out the photo will continue on with the campaign.

"I also recognize that we all make mistakes and I give them the opportunity to redeem themselves, to move forward to help make their contribution. But I made it very clear — and very clear — that this will not be tolerated by me as leader of this party," McNeil said.

McNeil said he called NDP Leader Darrell Dexter early Thursday.

ACTRA outraged

The Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists expressed its outrage about the circulation of the photo, calling it the "worst form of dirty politics and an affront to all performers."

Richard Hardacre, ACTRA national president, called it a "sexist, personal attack" on one of the group's members.