Joe Brolly being investigated over sexual gesture during presidential podcast

Pundit, journalist, and barrister, Joe Brolly, is always the entertainer, even if it risks getting a few facts wrong.

But it appears he went over board on a recent episode of the Free State podcast, which he hosts alongside journalist Dion Fanning.

It was during a discussion on the Presidential election when the All-Ireland winning ex-Derry footballer made a sexual gesture.

After he was widely condemned, Brolly apologised profusely on a later episode.

He said: “I apologise for what I did last week.

“I am sorry for what I have done. There is no excuse for it. It was stupid and childish and I want to apologise to everybody who listens to the podcast and my great friend Dion, who was very embarrassed by it all not surprisingly, and to all of those people who were upset.”

Presidential candidate, Heather Humphreys, described his behaviour as “very misogynistic”.

Brolly is now being investigated by his regulatory body, who are also considering interim sanctions while they come to a conclusion.

After receiving a complaint over the incident, the Bar of Northern Ireland released a statement.

It reads: “Any complaints received by the Bar Council are taken very seriously and are passed to the Professional Conduct Committee (PCC), which includes lay members along with members of the profession, to investigate without fear or favour.

“The PCC met earlier this week to consider a conduct complaint in relation to Joe Brolly BL and has decided to open a formal conduct investigation.

“The PCC was satisfied that this discretionary power was engaged and was both necessary in the public interest and appropriate.”