Norris under pressure for non-apology

Senator David Norris has come under further criticism for failing to apologise for using what was described as “sexist” language when he said a female TD was “talking through her fanny”.

The independent senator said yesterday he regretted any offence caused by his comments, but added: “What I regret most is that this will be used in this dirty campaign as a diversion.”

Mr Norris said he was “incandescent with rage” when he made the comments on Monday afternoon in response to a press statement from Meath East TD Regina Doherty on the abolition of the Seanad.