16 May 2000

Triple Crown for University of Dundee

University of Dundee first year students in law, Chris Bustin and Eleanor Dempsey, have been successful in their attempts to retain debating's Triple Crown Trophy triumphing over 11 other teams at this year's competition for maiden speakers.

In what was described by the presiding judge, Duncan Cockburn, as "one of the best and most exciting finals I have ever seen at this competition" Chris and Eleanor won the debate after proposing the abolition of the Child Support Agency and a return to the old court system. Other topics they debated during the day included the effect the European Single Currency has had on the UK and the complete abolition of a second chamber in the Houses of Parliament.

Both met some of the best new debating teams in Scotland during the day, and eventually were drawn against speakers from Aberdeen and St. Andrews in the final. Both were delighted by their win. Ian Robertson, convenor of Dundee University debating union said: "As a former winner of the Triple Crown myself, it gave me enormous pleasure to hear that Chris and Eleanor had won. It shows everyone that Dundee can compete in the big league in terms of the skills and expertise of its students."

Other recent successes for the debating union, one of the youngest in the country, were coming in the top twenty in the European Championships and getting to the semi-final of the Scottish Mace Competition./ends