COUNCIL OF WAR

04-11-2009

With British boxer David Haye preparing to take on 7’ 2” Russian “freak” Nikolay Valuev at the weekend, Birmingham Council chamber staged it’s own David and Goliath battle yesterday as lanky Lib Dem leader Paul Tilsley squared up to statuesque journalist Paul Dale.

Tilsley, whose bad temper is the subject of much speculation in the Council House, appeared to lose his rag with the Birmingham Post hack while answering a gentle question by his party colleague Ray Hassall about the controversial Working Neighbourhood Fund.

Dale, who broke the story, was the subject of a finger-jabbing onslaught by the veteran councillor who accused him of not getting his facts right.

Denied the right to reply in the Chamber, Dale muttered something under his breath – and according to Tilsley swore at him.

Just as it looked as though the Lord Mayor might be asked to intervene and evict the journo, Dale decided that discretion was the better part of valour and beat a retreat via the Labour councillors exit.

Tilsley then raced after him via the Conservative exit, and as the pair prepared for a frank exchange of views outside, bemused councillors were laying bets on who might win a David vs Goliath face off between the two.

Fortunately, Council spin doctor Deborah Harris was on hand to referee and ensure there were no low blows.

The bout was declared a draw after a flurry of heated verbal exchanges between the pair.

Only egos were bruised, but HBO have already staged an interest in staging a rematch.

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