HOME Affairs Minister Juan Watterson has been forced to make an embarrassing apology after ignoring his own warning to festive revellers about staying out of trouble.
Outlining his department’s ‘stay safe this Christmas message’ at a press conference last Friday, he said: ‘Most of us will be out celebrating this Christmas, but it’s important not to overdo things and end up in trouble as a result.’
But the island’s youngest MHK has apologised after getting drunk at his department’s Christmas do that same day - and ending up being sick on board the late bus back home to Port St Mary.
He said he has paid for the work to clean up the bus.
Mr Watterson said in a statement: ‘I would like to sincerely apologise to all those who had to witness me drunk on Friday night. I am mortified that I allowed my judgement to lapse so seriously. I hold myself to a higher standard and recognise that the public expect higher standards too from those in positions of responsibility.
‘I have already paid the Department of Community Culture and Leisure for the work that needs to be done, and apologised to the driver, chief executive officer and Minister of the Department, and to the Chief Minister, for my behaviour. I am very sorry for the inconvenience experienced by public service staff, who shouldn’t have to put up with this kind of thing from anyone. I have always enjoyed good relations with bus staff over the years which makes Friday’s incident even more humbling.
‘I am highly embarrassed by what happened, which was stupid and unacceptable. I am a young man who has learned a hard lesson.’
* Full story - see this week’s Manx Independent