I think he was just making a joke, seeing as it’s about a “sex researcher”’s kid. Don’t get yer knickers in a twist, mate.
What makes you think he was joking? There was no “/sarc” or other indicator. A lot of people assumed Townshend was guilty — and many still do. He was cleared of charges; but is still a registered sex offender. Note that I said “quite believable” — that falls short of a complete exonoration. I give Townshend the benefit of the doubt, because he has a long track record of working against child abuse; and because he was cleared in courts of law.
The charge of child poronography is far too serious to make unfounded “jokes” about; at the expense of another man’s honour. My knickers are fitting comfortably.