Joe Brolly shut down and booted off Claire Byrne Live for accusing DUP of 'homophobia' and 'racism'

Mr. Brolly, who is from Dungiven, also accused East Londonderry MP, Gregory Campbell, who also appeared on the programme, of "short-termism" and of "laughing at the Irish language and Gaelic sports"

Programme host, Claire Byrne, interrupted Mr. Brolly, who took part in the debate via video link, asking him to stop, explaining she felt it was unfair as the DUP politicians he was referring to were not in the studio to defend themselves.

"Joe, I am bringing the conversation back into the room.

"I am not having anybody called names on this show when they are not here to defend themselves and that is final, okay?

"You can either be part of that or not."

Mr. Brolly continued to talk but Ms. Byrne cut him off before asking her production team "can we just leave Joe out for a second okay?".

Mr. Brolly was not brought back on but did however respond via social media.

"Really, really, really sorry. Apologies again to ⁦@RTEOne⁩ and the DUP," tweeted Mr. Brolly sarcastically.

Mr. Brolly attached graphics to some of his tweets. These graphics detailed comments made by DUP MLA, Jim Wells, concerning gay couples appearing on BBC1 flagship entertainment programme, 'Strictly Come Dancing', and DUP MP, Sammy Wilson, supporting so-called gay conversion therapy.

The Claire Byrne Live debate also featured contributions from loyalist activist, Jamie Bryson, Sinn Fein President, Mary-Lou McDonald, DUP MP for East Londonderry, Gregory Campbell, Northern Ireland political commentator, Sarah Creighton, Tánaiste Leo Varadkar and more.

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