IT was enough to get your goat . . .
Liberal Democrat MP John Burnett was the environmentalists' pin-up on Tuesday when he collected a 'Green Ribbon' certificate in a London hotel.
The awards recognise the work done by MPs to further green issues. Mr Burnett was in the running thanks to his Private Member's Bill (failed) to promote energy efficiency.
The West Devon and Torridge MP happily collected his commendation (not the top prize, he was pipped to the post by a Welsh Nationalist) and sat down with more than 100 other members to tuck into a three-course lunch.
But this being a 'green' ceremony, it was vegetarian food only.
Mr Burnett's British blood boiled — he once farmed Devon cattle.
'The menu was completely vegetarian — there was no choice,' he disclosed in a call to the Times immediately the coffee was finished.
'The starter was a sort of fruit salad thing. I had some of that, but when I saw the main course . . . well!
'It was a bit of goat's cheese on fried bread. I said, "Hang on a minute, I'm not having that — bring me some roast beef, and make sure it's British".
'All credit to them, it may have been a politically correct environmental do but they got some roast beef for me — and it was British.'
MPs' heads turned when Mr Burnett made his stand for the traditional dish.
'I didn't intend to cause a fuss but I don't like goat's cheese and I'm not a vegetarian.'
And the final course? 'A strawberry mousse. That looked okay, but I asked for cheese instead.'
Camembert?
'Stilton and Cheddar, of course.'