Mayor in blogging brew again

Andrew Williams. Photo / Paul Estcourt

Auckland mayoralty candidate Andrew Williams says he was not on "a bender" at a Takapuna bar on Thursday night, as claimed on blogger Whaleoil's website.

The North Shore Mayor said he was on council business for three and a half hours at the Mac's Brew Bar with a councillor and ratepayers' group member, drinking the "equivalent of three pints."

After his son drove him home, he watched television.

Mr Williams said a family member later drew the Whaleoil blog to his attention. "It said I had been out all night in Takapuna. What a low-life."

The blog, by Cameron Slater, said; "Word hashh it that the Pissh Fairy is vishiting Macsh Bar on Hurstmere Rd, Takapuna.

"More detailshhh to follow, including photoshhh.

"I hear too that numerous shouts of the bar are occurring. Sounds like the Mad Mayor is on a bender."

Bar proprietor and Shore councillor Kevin Schwass vouched for Mr Williams' account.

"There were three of us, we bought two rounds each - they were 320ml glasses - over three and a half hours. He was not intoxicated when his son came to take him home."

However, Mr Schwass said he did not see anyone "stalking" or taking photographs of the mayor.

In an email sent around midnight, Mr Williams said Mr Slater "once again has the cheek to stalk me in my own time on a Thursday night tonight in Takapuna.

Mr Williams added; "He also stalked me last Sunday at a Youth Enterprise event at ASB Showgrounds, hurling inappropriate comments at me in front of young students. What a sick person. Pathetic."

Mr Slater replied, saying he was in Manukau all night rather than stalking Mr Williamson as was claimed.

"I went to the Countdown Supermarket at 8.10 pm and was nowhere near the North Shore. At the time he says I was stalking him I also made three posts to my blog.

"I am not stalking the Mad Mayor, the Whale spies informed me of the antics of the Mad Mayor."

Mr Slater also denied making comments in front of students at the Young Enterprise event.

The two men have locked horns several times in the past, the mayor saying his critic is part of a right-wing smear campaign against him.