JamesWhitehead
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http://www.guardian.co.uk/uklatest/story/0,1271,-2460035,00.html
Ron Davies says trips to gay haunt were to 'watch badgers'
Ananova
Thursday March 6, 2003 8:47 PM
Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies has admitted making repeated trips to a notorious gay cruising haunt - but only to watch badgers.
Mr Davies denies allegations in The Sun that he engaged in a gay sex act with a stranger at the beauty spot known as Tog Hill, near Bath, Somerset.
He initially insisted he had not even been to the site, but yesterday changed his story saying he had stopped there to go to the toilet and walk in the woods.
Now, in an interview to be shown on BBC Wales's Dragon's Eye programme, he says: "I have stopped there two or three times.
"I have actually been there when I have been watching badgers first thing in the morning. I know the area, it is a very pleasant area."
The area is known locally as a cruising area for gay men, and is listed on gay website http://www.gaytoz.com. Mr Davies insists, as far as he knew, it was just a picnic area.
He said he had stopped there on Monday to use the toilet and stretch his legs in the woods. He denied he was "on the lookout to get sexual partners", but said he did meet a stranger.
Mr Davies said: "I can confirm that I was approached, I had a brief conversation with an individual, who he was I don't know. In the course of that brief conversation another individual appeared.
"He pulled out a camera and took a couple of photographs of us and walked off." Asked if he had a sexual encounter with the man he said: "Those accusations will potentially be resolved in a court of law."
He said he had not lied on any occasion, adding he felt like a hunted animal. He said: "I don't think people who read tabloid papers realise the impact this sort of issue has on the private lives of individuals."
So badger-botherer or Big Hairy Mary Hunter? The courts may decide . . .
Ron Davies says trips to gay haunt were to 'watch badgers'
Ananova
Thursday March 6, 2003 8:47 PM
Former Welsh Secretary Ron Davies has admitted making repeated trips to a notorious gay cruising haunt - but only to watch badgers.
Mr Davies denies allegations in The Sun that he engaged in a gay sex act with a stranger at the beauty spot known as Tog Hill, near Bath, Somerset.
He initially insisted he had not even been to the site, but yesterday changed his story saying he had stopped there to go to the toilet and walk in the woods.
Now, in an interview to be shown on BBC Wales's Dragon's Eye programme, he says: "I have stopped there two or three times.
"I have actually been there when I have been watching badgers first thing in the morning. I know the area, it is a very pleasant area."
The area is known locally as a cruising area for gay men, and is listed on gay website http://www.gaytoz.com. Mr Davies insists, as far as he knew, it was just a picnic area.
He said he had stopped there on Monday to use the toilet and stretch his legs in the woods. He denied he was "on the lookout to get sexual partners", but said he did meet a stranger.
Mr Davies said: "I can confirm that I was approached, I had a brief conversation with an individual, who he was I don't know. In the course of that brief conversation another individual appeared.
"He pulled out a camera and took a couple of photographs of us and walked off." Asked if he had a sexual encounter with the man he said: "Those accusations will potentially be resolved in a court of law."
He said he had not lied on any occasion, adding he felt like a hunted animal. He said: "I don't think people who read tabloid papers realise the impact this sort of issue has on the private lives of individuals."
So badger-botherer or Big Hairy Mary Hunter? The courts may decide . . .