‘Rubbish’: Why deputy premier John Barilaro fired up over YouTube comedian

NSW Deputy Premier John Barilaro has fired up over the claims of a YouTube comedian, whose producer had frequently targeted him.

NSW deputy premier John Barilaro has angrily denied as “rubbish” claims he had ordered the NSW Police Fixated Persons Unit to investigate the producer for a YouTube comedian who has frequently targeted him.

Kristo Langker, a producer for the Friendlyjordies YouTube channel, was arrested at his Dulwich Hill home in June and charged with two counts of stalking or intimidating.

Mr Langker, 21, has pleaded not guilty to allegations he had stalked and intimidated Mr Barilaro during two incidents at Macquarie University on April 19 and following the funeral for rugby league great Bob Fulton in Sydney’s CBD on June 4.

Friendlyjordies producer Kristo Langker has pleaded not guilty to stalking John Barilaro. Picture: Damian Shaw / NCA NewsWire

He was arrested by members of the NSW Police Fixated Persons Unit.

The involvement of the Fixated Persons Unit has been criticised as inappropriate and Mr Barilaro has denied he had directed the police on how to investigate the matter.

Mr Barilaro bristled when asked about the suggestion on Sky News on Friday, describing it as “rubbish”.

Deputy premier John Barilaro has denied interfering in the police investigation of a YouTube comedian. Picture: Dean Lewins / AAP Image

“They want to pitch in a particular way to get community support from their social community,” Mr Barilaro said.

“I’ll leave that up to the police. They’ll deal with all of this in due course.”

Both incidents were filmed for the Friendlyjordies’ YouTube channel which is run by comedian and former model Jordan Shanks.

In a separate matter, Mr Barilaro is suing Mr Shanks for defamation, claiming the comedian’s videos had portrayed him as a “conman” who had “committed perjury”.

Jordan Shanks says he will defend his defamation lawsuit against John Barilaro. Picture: Facebook

Mr Shanks this week announced he had crowdfunded $1 million for his legal defence and that of Mr Langker.

Mr Barilaro reiterated that he would proceed with the lawsuit against Mr Shanks and took offence to several questions posed by a journalist.

“For you to even be asking that question is an indictment on your level of journalism,” Mr Barilaro said.

“You’re just going off remarks by an individual who is, as you know, an abusive individual.

“All he does is pull these people online, and that’s what you’re supporting. So good luck to you.”