The organisers of a child beauty pageant due to be held in Dublin tomorrow insist it will go ahead. The Bracken Court Hotel in Dublin earlier pulled out of hosting the controversial event, saying the Texan organisers did not inform them of the true nature of it.
It follows calls from a leading children's rights activist for the "Babies, Toddlers and Teens" contest to be cancelled outright.
In a statement, the hotel said organisers "did not identify the true nature of the event they were planning to stage at the luxury hotel, and that an event of this nature is not in keeping with the family ethos of the business".
It is understood that the organisers deliberately 'went to great lengths to keep the venue secret', and had 'taken the precaution of booking two reserve venues' for their event.
Organisers Universal Royalty Beauty Pageant are believed to have 'back-up' venues for the competition and have tweeted that it will go ahead, but have not released details.
To our Ireland friends, the hotel cancelled the pageant yesterday, I want to make it clear that @URpageants did not cancel the pageant.
— Universal Royalty (@URpageants) September 20, 2013
They have told participants to check their e-mails.
However Ireland contestants, you know Annette Hill, the pageant will go on. Check your emails today. (smile) @URpageants
— Universal Royalty (@URpageants) September 20, 2013
The Children's Minister says pageants go against the rights of children to be children. Speaking this morning, Frances Fitzgerald said the pageants are an unwelcome development here.
On Wednesday the French Senate banned beauty pageants for under-16s. While there have been recent calls for the event to be cancelled here amid claims that childhood should be protected.
Senator Jillian Van Turnhout is hoping other hoteliers who may have bookings in reserve will cancel those too.
"I would call on any hotel not to host an event of this kind. They have no place in Ireland" she said.
"Child beauty pageants are totally against protecting childhood, and we really need to cherish children in Ireland. So I would really urge hotels not to accept this booking. It should be cancelled" she added.
