DUP Councillor Robert Hill has defended his decision to crack open a Bacardi Breezer during a council meeting, claiming his critics are being “childish”.
University representative Hill admitted taking a bottle of Bacardi Breezer from the members’ room fridge into the council chamber on Monday evening, something that seemed to take those in the meeting a little by surprise.
Maybe the choice of drink was somewhat symbolic, but whatever the reason for having the drink – thirst being an obvious one – it seemed to cause a bit of a furore members of the public who had packed out the gallery to observe councillors debate the issue of Dog Control Orders.
While other councillors claimed to be “outraged and appalled”, perhaps by the choice of drink as much as the fact it was an alcoholic beverage, Hill claims it is much ado about nothing.
“Sure there is more alcohol in a wine gum or a brandy ball,” he told the Newtownabbey Times.
And Hill’s decision to have the Bacardi Breezer was purely out of necessity he added. “It was all there was in the fridge, it was hot in the council chamber and I needed a drink.”
“This is just vindictiveness on the part of the Alliance Party and its supporters because I have a free mind and will not be manipulated into voting whatever way they want me to.”
“Really this is just childish and an attempt to undermine me.”
A storm in an alcoholic teacup you might say.
