THEY WOULDN'T LET IT LIE
Published in The News and Star on 21/11/2003
THE Worlds Biggest Liar competition ended in a storm of controversy and fixing allegations last night after kilt-wearing South African Abrie Kruger became the contests first overseas winner.
The judging panel was booed and heckled by sections of the audience, sparking a heated public debate over whether the 24-year-old had broken the rules in reading from a script.
The event at the Bridge Inn, Santon Bridge, ended in spectators and contestants claiming the contest was fixed, with some threatening never to return and a spontaneous singing of SRule Britannia.
Abrie, going under the pseudonym SLord Abrie Ritson Yon Marra Kruger, won the contest by reading a proclamation in Cumbrian dialect of his claim to the Skingdom of Wasdale.
He was joined on stage by his Swife, played by fellow South African Anje Du Toit before revealing his plans to build a castle on top of Scawfell Pike and create the fastest cable car in the world (Great Cable) up the side of the mountain.
But the judges decision caused uproar as members of the audience started shouting SWhat a sell out. Hes not Cumbrian, prompting Copeland Mayor George Clements to respond angrily: SThis is a world championship and is open to anyone in the world.
But veteran liar contestant Dr Indiana Mason remained unhappy, saying: SI think that was very bad for the contest. I think it has been fixed. Contestant Johnny Liar, who won second prize with a tall tale about finding a tiger in his orchard added: SHe used a prop and that is against the rules.
Third place went to Carlisle-based student Joe Latham. Aspatrias defending champion George Kemp had a disastrous night as he forgot his lies and had to give up halfway through his tale.
Abrie, who is in the country making a documentary for South African TV, told the News & Star: SI wrote the script by doing a lot of research around the area and local people gave me some good ideas. This is Cumbrias trophy and it will always stay here. I dont know how this will go down back in South Africa.
Arguments continued as some drunken audience members insisted on debating the decision with the judging panel.
Bridge Inn boss Howard Christie said: SI think we left the bar open too long.