'He had the sh**s supreme': Barnaby Joyce apologises over backstage bust-up with Channel Seven staff after he was told he'd only get ten minutes of airtime during state election coverage
- The former deputy prime minister was on the panel for the NSW state election
- Barnaby Joyce appeared to be in a foul mood and was described as 'rude'
- The former Nationals leader issued an apology for his 'behaviour and demeanor'
Barnaby Joyce has apologised to Channel Seven staff for his expletive-laden meltdown after he was told he'd only be on air for 10 minutes during the network's state election coverage.
The former deputy prime minister was on the panel for the New South Wales election on March 23 - and appeared in a foul mood throughout.
His behaviour and aggressive attitude was criticised by viewers online, who called it 'rude'.
The former deputy prime minister was on the network's panel for the New South Wales state election on March 23, and appeared to be in a foul mood
According to The Australian, the former leader of the National Party apologised to Seven staff for his behaviour.
'I apologise for my behaviour and my demeanour,' he said.
Insiders told the publication that Mr Joyce was 'furious' about the briefness of his appearance.
Mr Joyce was scheduled to appear for 10 minutes on the program, and he was annoyed despite flying from his home in Armidale, news.com.au reported.
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He was accompanied by his partner, Vicky Campion, and their son.
'He had the sh**s supreme about whether he should even be there,' an insider said about Mr Joyce.
'There were four-letter words aplenty when Joyce first arrived on set and saw his schedule for the night,' another insider said.
Mr Joyce was accompanied by his partner, Vicky Campion, and their son during his Channel Seven appearance
Mr Joyce issued the apology, saying he was tired.
'I saw the schedule on the (green room) wall,' Mr Joyce told the publication.
'Then I saw the closest human being, and I told them what I thought.'
After that, Mr Joyce was left on air for the live coverage for two hours.
The current Nationals leader Michael McCormack, accepted Mr Joyce's apology.
'The Member for New England has provided an apology, which I believe is appropriate,' Mr McCormack said in a statement.
Mr Joyce was slammed by the viewers at the time after getting into a heated exchange with NSW Labor Senator Jenny McAllister within two minutes of the program starting.
The pair locked horns after Joyce dismissed claims by Channel Seven political commentator Mark Riley that state issues in country NSW such as water, drought and the massive fish kill in the state's west crossed over to the federal level.
'A lot of that, Mark, is a message for the city, it's not the message you hear in the country,' Joyce said.
'What resonates for you is not what the true knowledge on the ground is in regional areas. Don't confuse the two messages.'
Senator Jenny McAllister (pictured) snapped at the former National Party leader during Channel Seven's coverage after becoming fed up with his constant interrptions
When asked for her thoughts, Senator McAllister expressed surprise at his comments but didn't get the chance to finish her first sentence before Joyce began talking over her.
She continued but became fed up when he interrupted her several more times.
'May I finish my remarks,' a frustrated Senator McAllister eventually snapped.
Joyce obliged but insisted on having the last word after she wrapped up her comments.
'Finished? You're wrong,' he said before throwing his hands up in the air as the discussion awkwardly stalled.
Channel Seven viewers weren't impressed after seeing Joyce's on-air exchange
Shocked viewers were quick to take to social media to slam Joyce's 'rude' on-air treatment of Senator McAllister.
'Seven News Sydney should be ashamed of themselves for not moderating that redneck misogynistic bully boy Barnaby Joyce. Senator McAllister just ridden over rough-shod and all the men just shrug. Disgusting, demeaning, and all too common,' a woman tweeted.
He was also criticised by male viewers.
'Barnaby Joyce really showed his true colours last night. No doubt he was making a strong pitch for the Nat's leadership while being rude and belittling to other panel members. The bloke is a disgrace,' one man tweeted.
Another added: 'Senator McAllister bullied by Barnaby Joyce and host doesn't back her up?'
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