DIPLOMATIC OUTRAGE (Is that an oxymoron?)

The cultural attache to the Canadian Embassy in Cardiff has expressed strong disapproval at the treatment of his countryman and rising star of architecture, Eric Bull, in the course of the event at the Welsh School of Architecture last week. 

In addition to claims of sexual harassment by the lady chair of the Imaginary Lottery Fund, blatantly anti-colonial remarks by the North Wales Representative and unreasonable comments about his apparel, the Embassy claims that Eric's presentation was deliberately sabotaged. But for the sportsmanlike intervention of the eventual winner who mended the projector it is doubtful that a powerpoint presentation of the Great Wall of Wales would have been made. 

The audience at the Birt Acres Theatre appeared very appreciative of the dramatic and artistic interventions proposed along the English Border and it seemed to many that Eric had certainly secured the popular vote. In response to claims of a blatant fix in the final selection the panel have reiterated that they considered the proposal derivative, the concept having been explored by King Offa, The Emperor Hadrian, the Ming Dynasty, Andre Maginot, The German Democratic Republic and countless others.

The regional government has said it will not intervene formally but comments made by the Minster for State Enlightenment in the course of Saturdays British Lions game may trigger further dispute with other colonies. His suggestion that Canada has hitherto given global culture nothing but miserable folk singers and maple syrup could, when coupled with his remarks on cheating Australian sportsmen and New Zealand referees, trigger a call for censure at the next Commonwealth Conference.  

Criticism is also mounting from other quarters as to the overall selection policy, it being noted in the architectural press that all four of the short-listed finalists were in some way closely associated with the Welsh School of Architecture. The School has distanced itself from the event saying that its organisation was the responsibility of The Welsh Architects Theatre Studio who should take full responsibility for the outcome. An initial response from a spokesman for TWATS was dismissive and inferred that such a shortlist was inevitable, as the only architects worth their salt were so associated. As to claims that the selection process was badly managed, biased bordering on corrupt and a complete farce he simply shrugged and said "That's the way these things are done in Wales".

The clarification of the selection criteria outlined by Citizen Joe Nathan, Commissar for Rationalisation and Procurement, will be reproduced here shortly.