Doug Maughan Voices Support for Peter Mandelson in Public Urination Incident
In a recent letter to the Guardian, Doug Maughan from Dunblane, Stirling, has expressed rare sympathy for Peter Mandelson, the disgraced former ambassador, who is facing a fixed-penalty notice for urinating in a London street. The incident occurred at 11pm on a cold night last November in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea, as reported on 10 April.
Maughan, who is a year younger than Mandelson, stated that he is no fan of the former politician but feels entirely supportive in this case. He highlighted that many men of similar age experience issues with their urinary systems, often referred to as the "waterworks," which are not as robust as they used to be.
Questioning the Council's Decision and Enforcement
Maughan posed a critical question: What was Mandelson supposed to do when caught short on a cold night? He argued that the alternatives—wetting himself or risking health by holding it in, as exemplified by the historical case of Danish astronomer Tycho Brahe—are unreasonable. Brahe reportedly died after refusing to leave a banquet to relieve himself due to etiquette concerns.
Furthermore, Maughan challenged the consistency of the council's enforcement. He suggested that if the council proceeds with fining Mandelson, it should also fine dog owners who allow their pets to urinate in the street. He described this potential action as ridiculous, equating it to the treatment of Mandelson.
The letter concludes by inviting readers to share their opinions on Guardian articles for potential publication in the letters section. This incident has sparked debate over public health, age-related conditions, and local authority policies in urban areas like London.
