Kyle Richards says she felt a "duty to be honest" with Lisa Vanderpump during their friendship-ending fight.
Richards told host Andy Cohen she believes she would still be friends with Vanderpump if she had kept out of the #Puppygate drama.
Richards accused Vanderpump of leaking stories about their "The Real Housewives" co-star Dorit Kemsley after a dog Kemsley adopted from Vanderpump's organization ended up at a shelter.
"We're supposed to be honest and have an opinion, and I felt like I had to be honest in that moment," Richards said.
"Even though Lisa and I have known each other longest and are close, I'm friends with all these women and have respect for all of them, so I felt I had the duty to be honest.""It would have been easier [to not say anything], trust me," she added.
Richards said she didn't mean to hurt Vanderpump during their fight.
"I have nothing but respect for her and I care for her, but I was being honest in that moment and that's it."
Vanderpump skipped the Season 9 reunion following the drama with Richards and their co-stars. She later confirmed she is quitting "The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills" after nine seasons.
"This last year was a very negative year for me," Vanderpump told "Extra" last week.
"I just had a horrible time with the show and the women. It was a very sad time in my life and it wasn't made any better. I just decided to walk away."
