Public Safety Minister Sen. David Burch today said he ripped up a speech and returned it to the Mayor of Hamilton because he felt “disrespected” and “offended” by it.

He told the Upper House that the speech was one Charles Gosling made to Rotary members, outlining how the Corporation of Hamilton was allied to Government and was not an Opposition party.

The Government Senate leader said Mr. Gosling had sent him a copy.

Sen. Burch said: “It was a speech he gave on March 21, 2010 when he talked a whole bunch of crap and I was offended ... I sent it back because I want that man to know and the rest of them to know that if you disrespect people, that is what you will get back in return.”

Mr. Gosling made the speech in the aftermath of the announcement of Government plans to abolish the Corporations of Hamilton and St. George.

To read the full story see tomorrow’s edition of The Royal Gazette.