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EUROPEAN COMMISSION CHIEF Jean-Claude Juncker has said he was suffering from sciatica when he repeatedly stumbled at a NATO summit last week and demanded “respect” after insinuations he had been drunk.
The 63-year-old head of the powerful European Union’s executive arm played down the incident at a gala dinner with 29 NATO leaders, which he addressed for the first time in person.
“I’m really impressed by the interest some people are taking in these not even marginal issues and I am asking for respect,” Juncker told reporters when asked if alcohol had played a role.
The former Luxembourg premier was seen repeatedly unsteady on his feet at a museum in Brussels a week ago on Wednesday night and was helped away in a wheelchair.
At times the prime ministers of the Netherlands and Portugal propped him up while other world leaders including US President Donald Trump looked on.
“I had sciatica and moreover I had cramps in my legs,” Juncker said, adding that he “laughed at the pettiness” of what was being said about him.
Sciatica is a nerve condition that can cause severe leg and back pain.
He endorsed the health explanation given last Friday by his chief spokesman Margaritis Schinas, who said it had been a “particularly painful” sciatica attack.
“It was correct last Wednesday, and that’s correct this morning and it will be correct tonight and tomorrow morning,” Juncker said.
Juncker, whose five-year mandate as head of the EU’s executive arm ends in 2019, is known to use humour and frankness to achieve compromise in the 28-nation European Union.
But his behaviour has triggered accusations that he has a penchant for alcohol, which his spokesmen have always strongly denied.
After last week’s incident, Juncker stuck to a demanding schedule that included travel to China and Japan for summits this week.
He is due to travel to Washington on 25 July for talks with Trump aimed at defusing a trade row.
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Yawn…..!
Exactly… Who really cares?
Game of thrones?
Does this qualify cos it was partially filmed here?
And the winner is…….whoever turns up
Boring
Was domhnail gleeson not the lead actor in ‘frank’? It’s like they would prefer that fassbender would turn up just for the photos.
In fairness the IFTAS are a bit like the Irish Open Golf.Not really worth a whole pile in the grand scheme of things but its nice to see the Irish lads who have done well supporting their own.In fairness Gleason or Fassbender could easily blow it off given that they’re both having huge years. Colin Farrell always makes an attempt to make an appearance.He has True Detective on as well.Daniel Day Lewis who always seems to be at a loose end will probably turn up.Actually does anyone know how he has managed so many Oscar wins? He never seems to leave Ireland.Soarise Roman ect will probably make an outing.Its all a bit twee but if it generates a bit of interest in the Irish film industry and a bit of cash sure how bad.It also allows people who might not usually have access to Hollywood the opportunity .
The IFTA… Are you having a laugh?
I’d say love hate 5 and actors and the director of it will win the awards they are nominated for. I don’t mean mind who wins. Good luck to all
Cillian Murphy has a good shout for his performance in peaky blinders, which was brilliant.
have your say