Toga cameraman insists faeces thrown

A TV3 cameraman who was caught up in last month's student toga parade in Dunedin has rejected suggestions that reports faeces were thrown at participants were made up.

University of Otago vice-chancellor Prof David Skegg said at a university council meeting on Tuesday that some of the "lurid details" involving the parade disorder, and which had received news media prominence, had been challenged by many witnesses.

For example, he said those who cleaned the streets informed the university they saw no evidence whatsoever of the foul material that was claimed to have been thrown.

However, Damon Forde said he went to the doctor to receive shots for hepatitis as a precautionary after being hit by flying faeces.

Mr Forde, who was filming for TV3 news, said he was just in front of the parade of students in Frederick St when a man stepped out in front of him with a bucket full of foul-smelling faeces.

"I would have worn the whole bucket in my face had I not taken evasive action," he said.

As he ducked, the contents of the bucket were thrown over the students behind him and he ended with some on his camera and jacket.

TV3 staff had looked at footage from the night and he said many students were covered in brown liquid which was clearly not eggs.