DUP councillor who told Rihanna to cover up loses seat
Written by News on 04/05/2019
A farmer who told Rihanna to put her clothes back on when she made a music video in his corn field has lost his council seat.
Alan Graham, from the Democratic Unionist Party, got hot under the collar when he went to fetch his tractor from the set of the shoot in 2011.
The singer, from Barbados, used some of his land in County Down to promote her single We Found Love.
Traffic came to a standstill on the outskirts of Bangor as fans flocked for a glimpse of their idol.
The costumes in which Rihanna braved the Ulster autumn included a red bikini barely covered by an extra-large cowboy shirt, and a red-and-white striped bikini and unbuttoned jeans.
Mr Graham, who was 61 at the time, said he did not “believe young ladies should have to take their clothes off to entertain”.
He did not stop the filming, saying Rihanna had been “very gracious and respectful” when they chatted and they “parted company on good terms”.
Carry On and EastEnders star Barbara Windsor said she could see his point of view, commenting at the time: “I don’t blame him.
“How old is he? Does he need that at his time of life, seeing Rihanna taking her top off? He doesn’t.”
Mr Graham is known for his conservative views, and objected to a proposal to light up Bangor Town Hall in the rainbow colours for a Pride event last year.
He has spent several terms as a councillor on Ards and North Down Council, but has now lost his seat to the Alliance Party’s Scott Wilson.
(c) Sky News 2019: DUP councillor who told Rihanna to cover up loses seat
