One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce lost his cool during a live television interview.
The former deputy prime minister was tasked with defending party leader Pauline Hanson’s interview with controversial ring-wing figure Tommy Robinson on ABC’s 7.30 Report.
Mr Joyce was questioned over Senator Hanson’s appearance on his podcast, comments made referencing White Australia and funding of her trip to a fashion show in Sicily.
But it was not the probing questions of presenter Sarah Ferguson that caused the MP to have an outburst.
Instead, it was a canine companion that caused the red-faced politician to lose his cool.
Midway through a sentence, Mr Joyce let out a piercing yell of “sit down” directed towards something happening off camera.
He was then forced to pause and explain to the host that he was barking an order at a dog.
“Sorry, it’s the dog,” he said immediately after the outburst.
Later in the interview, he apologised on behalf of the canine for a second time.
“I do apologise for this dog, it’s just started to bail up.”
This sparked a fiery exchange when the presenter said to not worry about the dog and answer her question.
“Don’t be rude Sarah or this interview will grind to a halt,” he said.
At the close of the interview, Ms Ferguson lightheartedly referenced the earlier incident.
“We will say thank you very much for joining us Barnaby Joyce, the dog was no problem,” she said.
Mr Joyce responded: “It was to me.”
Read related topics:One NationPauline Hanson