STICKY END TO DOWNING STREET VISIT
Sticky end to Downing Street visit
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
A VISIT to 10 Downing Street for 18 young victims of the Omagh bomb almost came to a sticky ending after one member left his own indelible mark on the PM's official residence.
The party of young people - who had travelled to spend the weekend with host families in Liverpool - were due to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Friday morning.
But disaster struck moments before the dignitaries were set to greet their VIP guests.
On arrival at No l0, the Omagh grouping was met by Secretary of State Mo Mowlam and taken on a guided tour through the corridors of power.
The party was shown around the Cabinet Room before being ushered into the plush surroundings of the upstairs Green Room where the meeting was to take place.
But just as the Secretary of State was making hurried preparations for a photo-shoot, one young guest stole the limelight.
With the world's press looking on, the schoolboy - who had unknowingly earlier sat on gum -suddenly made a move. As he arose, yards of Wrigleys stretched out in his wake.
Youth leader, Paddy McMahon rushed to remove the offending traces from the stately sofa. He was joined by Dr Mowlam - no stranger to sticky situations herself - who delicately picked at the pieces of chewing gum. And with just moments to spare, the pair managed to complete the clean-up operation.
Luckily, the PM chose to join his young guests on an adjoining settee, where he laughed and joked with his visitors before teaming up with the Taoiseach for a photocall.
Meanwhile all remaining stockpiles of gum were immediately decommissioned before the party set off on a visit of London's leading landmarks.
BY: JOHN McCUSKER
A VISIT to 10 Downing Street for 18 young victims of the Omagh bomb almost came to a sticky ending after one member left his own indelible mark on the PM's official residence.
The party of young people - who had travelled to spend the weekend with host families in Liverpool - were due to meet with Prime Minister Tony Blair and Taoiseach Bertie Ahern on Friday morning.
But disaster struck moments before the dignitaries were set to greet their VIP guests.
On arrival at No l0, the Omagh grouping was met by Secretary of State Mo Mowlam and taken on a guided tour through the corridors of power.
The party was shown around the Cabinet Room before being ushered into the plush surroundings of the upstairs Green Room where the meeting was to take place.
But just as the Secretary of State was making hurried preparations for a photo-shoot, one young guest stole the limelight.
With the world's press looking on, the schoolboy - who had unknowingly earlier sat on gum -suddenly made a move. As he arose, yards of Wrigleys stretched out in his wake.
Youth leader, Paddy McMahon rushed to remove the offending traces from the stately sofa. He was joined by Dr Mowlam - no stranger to sticky situations herself - who delicately picked at the pieces of chewing gum. And with just moments to spare, the pair managed to complete the clean-up operation.
Luckily, the PM chose to join his young guests on an adjoining settee, where he laughed and joked with his visitors before teaming up with the Taoiseach for a photocall.
Meanwhile all remaining stockpiles of gum were immediately decommissioned before the party set off on a visit of London's leading landmarks.
Further Information
Publisher: ULSTER HERALD
Ref: UH/1256
Published Date: 20-May-99
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