There was (minor) outrage amongst Liverpudlians this week after a local law firm insisted on keeping the iPad mini that it had offered as a prize in a charity raffle. OK, it's not a big news week.

The Merseyside Junior Lawyers Branch of the Law Society organised a comedy evening in aid of CHICs, a childrens cancer charity, which was sponsored by local firm JB Leitch. £3 paid for entry and the chance to win various raffle prizes, including an iPad donated by the sponsor.

All was going swimmingly until the winner of iPad was announced: which turned out to be the sponsor, which refused to allow the prize to be re-drawn. The venue errupted at such blatant meanness with one eye witness saying that there was a "mini riot" as lawyers and comedians loudly took the firm to task. But to no avail, as the iPad remained firmly in the possession of JB Leitch.

Some irate Liverpudlians yesterday

 
The organiser of the event, taking full advantage of the promotion opportunity, said "upon reflection, the sponsor has kindly agreed to return the iPad mini to us to raffle at our forthcoming charity event, the MJLD 2014 ‘Carnival’ Charity Ball (12th April 2014, Hilton Hotel, Liverpool, tickets £50 if purchased before 21st March 2014, see www.merseysidejld.org.uk for further details)".

A spokeswoman for the firm said "the prize was swiftly returned to the organisers but not before the comic made the most of the opportunity to point it out to the crowd. The event raised around £500 for CHICs."