ULSTER Unionist leader Doug Beattie has apologised after he was criticised for posting a Tweet he described as a “joke” involving Edwin Poots and the DUP MLA’s wife.
Mr Beattie posted the saved photo containing the joke on Saturday evening, with the post involving a fictional scenario featuring Edwin Poots and himself in a barbershop.
In the post – which Mr Beattie said was not written by him, but previously sent to him - it also featured Mr Poots’ wife and referenced a brothel.
Stormont Justice Minister Naomi Long, was among those who criticised it saying: "I think it's sexist and in poor taste."
North Down MP Stephen Farry wrote: "It can't be left to women to call this out. This joke was misogynistic and wrong. Too many men are trying to laugh this off, it is not a laughing matter."
DUP deputy leader Paula Bradley described the tweet as "appalling".
She added: "To seek to score a political point against an opponent in this manner is not befitting a leader.
"For the comments to be about a woman not even in public life, is a further indication of Doug Beattie’s default setting. This was an offence to all women, at a time when parties are working to stop attacks on women, particularly on social media. It’s no laughing matter."
After deleting the initial tweet, Mr Beattie made a post in which he claimed it had been "an attempt at humour, nothing more."
He added: "In no way would I intentionally offend anyone but it’s clear I have so it is only right I apologise for doing so.
"We can all make mistakes, my choice of joke was a mistake."