Lynda flies into ethics controversy

PAGEANT and not politics. That’s the view of Miss Ireland Lynda Duffy as she prepares to fly out to another Miss World contest embroiled in controversy.

A number of contestants boycotted this year’s event in Nigeria because of Islamic law, which permits Muslim women be stoned to death.

However, the 22-year-old Galway woman, who departs Ireland today for the contest which takes place on December 7, confirmed she would not join her international counterparts in taking a stance against the predominantly Muslim state which upheld the Islamic conviction of Amina Lawal, who was condemned for adultery.

“I’m going to remain neutral on all of this, I’m not taking any stance one way or the other,” she said.

Contestants from Denmark, Switzerland, Austria and Costa Rica have already withdrawn, with seven other countries, including Germany, Finland, Togo and Poland considering a boycott of the event. Others are now considering similar action.

The remainder of the 110 eligible contestants are also being asked to bring petitions opposing the stoning, while a statement is to be read out by organisers of the pageant on behalf of the contestants condemning the sentence, at the start of the December 7 competition.

“I know contestants from other countries have pulled out, but that doesn’t affect my decision. I won’t be signing any petition,” she declared.

Despite the ethical debate, which threatens to turn this year’s event into a farce, Lynda, who has taken a year out from her Marine Science studies in Galway, took time out yesterday to model the specially commissioned ballgown which she will wear at the event in a month’s time.