Cat crashes Stormont zoom meeting to deliver live pigeon to owner called Mr Pidgeon
Mr Pigeon said the bird appeared to be unharmed before he released it
Last updated 25th Feb 2021
Colin Pidgeon remained calm and collected yesterday (Wednesday) when his cat presented him with a bird of the same name during a Stormont committee.
He was appearing remotely before the Northern Ireland Assembly's Finance Committee when his pet delivered the live pigeon into his house.
Mr Pidgeon, a research officer, swiftly captured the seemingly unscathed bird and returning it out of the window to more familiar surroundings.
The episode lit up an otherwise run-of-the-mill afternoon briefing to committee members from Mr Pidgeon and colleagues from the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe).
Mr Pidgeon said : “I have literally just caught a pigeon, I'm really sorry about this.”
He informed Assembly members watching from the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings in Belfast.
Wanting to get a better view of proceedings, deputy committee chairman Paul Frew wryly asked the Assembly broadcasters to expand his quadrant of the TV to full-screen mode.
Committee chairman Steve Aiken tried to offer some advice: “Colin, go and put the pigeon outside, we'll skip that question, you just go and put the pigeon outside.”
Mr Pidgeon confirmed the bird appeared to be unharmed, he said: “It flew off so the cat hasn't killed it.''
Mr Frew was not so confident about the pigeon's prospects.
“We'll know what type of soup you're eating tonight, Colin,'' he joked.
Once Mr Pidgeon returned to his seat, he was offered universal praise for how he dealt with the unexpected visitor.
“Congratulations Colin, well done,'' said Mr Aiken.
Mr Pidgeon offered an assurance to the committee that it was not a regular occurrence in his household.
“I’ve never been interrupted by wildlife before,'' he insisted.
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