John Gollop apologises for explicit Twitter 'likes'

Deputy John Gollop was the subject of a short documentary filmed in 2009 in Guernsey and Alderney

A politician has apologised for appearing to endorse pornographic material on social media.

Guernsey deputy John Gollop's Twitter account featured sexually explicit images he "liked", but which have since been removed.

In a statement, Deputy Gollop said he was "profoundly and deeply sorry" if offence was caused.

The experienced Guernsey politician has more than 4,000 Twitter followers, the largest of any deputy on the island.

A well-known figure in the Channel Islands, he has served as a politician for 20 years and was recently elected a member of the island's Education, Sport and Culture Committee.

Several explicit tweets had been "liked" by his account since October 2016.

Deputy Gollop liked a number of tweets, such as this one by US pornographic actress Dana DeArmond

Deputy Gollop said in a statement: "I am profoundly and deeply sorry if anyone has been offended or upset by any adult content that in error appeared on my Twitter feed.

"I was from time to time over the past few years liking some adult pictures without realising that they could be accessed by the wider public.

"My IT skills are very limited and I had no idea that by pressing the like button on adult material, which was legal in nature, others could see the tweets.

"I have been naive and shown a lack of skill and personal judgement."

The adult material "liked" by Deputy Gollop's account was deleted after the BBC approached the politician to discuss the tweets

Guernsey politicians' conduct is governed by a code, overseen by an independent panel.

Accordingly, politicians "must submit themselves to whatever scrutiny is appropriate to their office".

It is understood the panel has not received a complaint about Deputy Gollop's conduct.