Dungay's Wager

But they are not the only strange fish here. The Reverend Peter Dungay is here too. He was a Labour councillor here for some years. Until Turkey Gate. But he has recently popped up again as a Green Party organiser. And in various religious orders.

At the time of the Europeans and All Outs in 2004 he was His Supreme Holiness - a high calibre Buddhist Monk. Topknot, orange robe and all. Now he has defected as he did from Labour. To something called the Church of Universal Ministries. I quiz him about it and will track it down on the web - assuming it has a footprint on the digital superhighway.

He wears a dog collar and traditional priest garb. But his most fetching accoutrement is his Father Brown-style black hat. This never leaves his head. And I'd guess there is a shaven head and topknot beneath. Just in case. Dungay's wager.

He tells me all sorts of things about his Party's plans, and his "church". But when it comes to men in dog collars I can't say I'm necessarily a believer. A two-year stint with Christian Brothers shattered the 5% of remaining illusions.

Our Head, Brother ****, eventually ran off with the school secretary shortly after I left. Which was like Absolute Confirmation in reverse.