A VETERAN councillor has this lunchtime repelled a swipe at Hull by UK City of Culture 2017 losers Swansea.
In an interview with BBC Radio Wales, Swansea council leader David Phillips said: "If you live in Hull, you've got to have something to look forward to I suppose."
But Councillor Terry Geraghty, Hull City Council's portfolio holder for leisure, culture, events and sport, hit back.
He told the Mail: "He is talking a load of rubbish. He's spitting his dummy out, just like a child would if you took away his sweets. It's childish."
Cllr Geraghty resisted the temptation to take a pop back at Swansea, adding: "Swansea is a nice place to visit, just as Hull is.
"It's clear this man is a bad loser. It's a case of sour grapes."
Cllr Geraghty said the whole city should rejoice at being bestowed the title.
"Being named City of Culture will give Hull a tremendous boost," he said.
"I am a firm believer potential investors look at a
city's cultural offering."
Mr Phillips said he was "bitterly disappointed" with the outcome.
He added: "There were too many good ideas in the bid, we're not going to let them slip through our fingers.
"I don't think there was anything wrong with the bid. Clearly Hull's was stronger than ours."
Hull also beat Leicester and Dundee to the title.
Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport Maria Miller said: "This is brilliant news for Hull and everyone involved in the bid there."
