Moment top £160,000-a-year civil servant squirms at the thought of naming £200m research ship 'Boaty McBoatface' when cheeky MP presses him to say it ..
"The name Boaty McBoatface has captured the hearts and minds of people from around the world – but not this top £160,000-a-year civil servant.
Business chief Martin Donnelly squirmed in his seat during a parliamentary committee when he tried desperately not to say the people's title for the UK's latest polar research ship.
He was lead on by South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon, who had to rephrase his question multiple times to get the civil servant to say the name on record.
Mr Bacon, a member of the Public Accounts Committee, asked: 'Can you tell us which one (name) won the contest?'
The simple sounding question was met with a baffling response by the Permanent Secretary for Business, Innovation and Skills, who did not want to say the silly name.
The Tory MP pressed him again: 'Can you state for the record which name won the contest?'
But again he had to rephrase the question to 'which name won the won the poll', before he got the answer he was looking for.
Martin Donnelly finally caved in after being asked four times and said: 'I believe Boaty McBoatface won the poll.'
Mr Bacon responded: 'I just wanted you to say that on record. And you did,' to laughter in the room.
More, including video.....
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3562477/Top-civil-servant-Martin-Donnelly-does-not-want-say-Boaty-McBoatface-record.html?ito=video_player_click
