Culture Secretary Andy Burnham has admitted joining the all-male Mornie Onion Society, which is allegedly dedicated to getting drunk, during his days as an undergraduate during the 1980s.
But Mr Burnham, 38, who is now spearheading the Government crackdown on binge-drinking, pointed out that many students drank heavily while at university.
And he explained he had now “grown out” of that sort of behaviour, saying politicians have to be “normal people and do normal things (and) have a few beers”.
Although one former society member claimed Mr Burnham was “wrecked a lot”, the minister insisted the society was mainly about “sporting ability”.
The Mail on Sunday 08/06/08 page 37
