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Public Utilities Minister Barry Padarath said he was not drunk when he went on stage and addressed the audience at the Hyatt fete yesterday.

"It was a carnival event, it is a festive atmosphere. I said nothing that was inappropriate. I bigged up a colleague as the founder of the event. I have had all manner of things said about me by detractors," said Padarath in response to questions from the Express.

A video went viral on Wednesday night showing Padarath addressing the crowd and praising Minister of Works and Infrastructure Jearlean John. The video is just under two minutes long.