Rumours circulated online that Porter made inappropriate comments while on stage in the George’s Street bar on Monday night.
Comedian Al Porter made a brief return to the stage over the weekend in a rare public appearance since being embroiled in controversy over sexual misconduct allegations back in 2017.
Porter was accused by several people back in November and December of acting inappropriately, with many claiming the Tallaght-native sexually harassed them at some point in time.
The comic took to the stage of The George Bar, one of the few dedicated LGBTQ+ clubs in Dublin, over the weekend for a three-minute performance in which, people claim, he made jokes about putting his hands down people’s trousers.
Reports of the impromptu performance bled into social media over the long weekend, with many saying that Porter shouldn’t have been given permission by the bar to perform.
https://twitter.com/DaveyReilly/status/980941067909464065
Following a number of complaints and several tweets condemning Porter’s return to the stage, The George released a statement on Tuesday night confirming that the comedian was not booked to perform at the club, but was merely picked at random to engage in an audience participation game.
2/2 games involving audience participation organised by the entertainment act that had been booked. Our focus continues to be on ensuring that all our guests enjoy a great night out when they visit The George.
— The George Dublin (@TheGeorgeDublin) April 3, 2018
The statement reads: “Contrary to erroneous reports on social media, Al Porter was not booked to perform in the bar last night and was in attendance as a regular customer.
“He appeared briefly on the stage after his name was picked randomly out of a hat in one of the games involving audience participation organised by the entertainment act that had been booked. Our focus continues to be on ensuring that all our guests enjoy a great night out when they visit The George.”
The George Bar is one of the few dedicated LGBTQ+ clubs in Dublin city, with many stating that its safe space status has been compromised with the bar allowing an accused harasser to perform.
Pink Tie Productions, of which Porter is a co-founder, also released a statement of their own late on Tuesday night, claiming that their client has not been charged or contacted by Gardaí and “is entitled to a private life.”
A STATEMENT REGARDING CLIENT AL PORTER 1/3
Al has not worked since taking time off last November to deal with allegations that were made.
Al categorically denies criminal wrongdoing, and he has not been charged or contacted by Gardai.@TheAlPorter @TheGeorgeBar https://t.co/NnXnqpxaLu
— Pink Tie Productions (@pinktietv) April 3, 2018
A STATEMENT REGARDING CLIENT AL PORTER 2/3
Al is entitled to a private life and was socialising with friends in The George, when he was nominated anonymously to take the stage. In the spirit of the event, he did so briefly, but did not perform any stand up. @TheAlPorter https://t.co/NnXnqpxaLu
— Pink Tie Productions (@pinktietv) April 3, 2018
3/3
It is very disappointing that even a rare private night out with friends can result in media attention and social media speculation.Al takes these matters very seriously. He has not made any comment to media on this since November and continues to deal with it privately.
— Pink Tie Productions (@pinktietv) April 3, 2018
Just three weeks ago, Porter made his first public appearance since a number of allegations were made regarding his inappropriate behaviour several months ago.
He attended fellow comedian David McSavage’s show at the Olympia Theatre in Dublin back in March who made reference to the sexual allegations made against him mid-routine.
Porter stepped down from his roles in Today FM, television show Blind Date and his role in the Olympia Christmas pantomime when allegations came out regarding his inappropriate behaviour, quoting “personal time” as the reason for his dismissal.
However, head of 2FM Dan Healy, reckons that Porter could be back on the airwaves in the future given his flair for broadcasting.
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