Tommy Tiernan’s comments about Arlene Foster are removed and BBC Radio Foyle apologise
BBC Radio Foyle has apologised and taken down content after a comedian made a joke about Arlene Foster on a local airwaves show.
Speaking about his “interest” in the DUP leader he said: “If she wasn’t in politics I can see her working single handedly on a tiny little farm in south Fermanagh driving cattle up some country lane”.
Then, apparently imitating Mrs Foster, he said: “Go on you pups, you fenian ba****ds ye, go up you fenian…
“Friesian Arlene, they are called Friesian Arlene.
“I’ll call them what I want,” he joked.
After the interview host Patterson apologised for any offence caused and adding: “Tommy is, I suppose that kind of talent in terms of what he does.”
DUP MP Gregory Campbell said that despite being someone who was “fairly well known” as engaging in humour and satire, he thought the nature of some of the language appeared to be “excessive”.
Mr Campbell told the News Letter: “His humour can be quite lively if it is delivered and taken in the spirit it is intended it to be, but some of that stuff (about Arlene Foster) appears to be, in terms if the language used anyway, almost deliberately provocative to try to engender some sort of outrage. ”
The BBC apologised and said the language used was “clearly inappropriate”.
The broadcaster has since removed the section of the programme from its catch-up services.
A spokesman added: “The language used by our guest was clearly inappropriate.
“We unreservedly apologise for its use and any offence caused.
“This section of the programme has been removed for our catch up services.”
