Unflappable Colin Pidgeon calmly responds as his cat delivers a live pigeon into his home while he addresses Northern Irish politicians via Zoom

  • Colin Pidgeon interrupted by pigeon while on call to Northern Ireland Assembly
  • The researcher was providing evidence to the Assembly's Finance Committee   
  • He was forced to stop after catching a pigeon his cat had brought into the house 

This is the bizarre moment a researcher named Mr Pidgeon is forced to interrupt a zoom call with the Northern Ireland Assembly after catching a pigeon inside his house.  

Colin Pidgeon was appearing remotely to give evidence to the Assembly's Finance Committee when his pet cat delivered the live pigeon to him.

The research officer handled the avian interruption with calm assurance, swiftly capturing the seemingly unscathed bird and returning it out of the window to more familiar surrounds.

The episode lit up an otherwise run-of-the-mill afternoon briefing to committee members from Mr Pidgeon and colleagues from the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe).

'I have literally just caught a pigeon, I'm really sorry about this,' he informed Assembly members watching from the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings in Belfast.

Wanting to get a better view of proceedings, deputy committee chairman Paul Frew wryly asked the Assembly broadcasters to expand his quadrant of the TV to full-screen mode.

Committee chairman Steve Aiken tried to offer some advice.

Colin Pidgeon is seen clutching a pigeon whilst appearing remotely to give evidence to the Assembly's Finance Committee

Colin Pidgeon is seen clutching a pigeon whilst appearing remotely to give evidence to the Assembly's Finance Committee

Mr Pidgeon is seen taking the bird to the window as politicians and colleagues from the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe) watch

Mr Pidgeon is seen taking the bird to the window as politicians and colleagues from the Assembly's Research and Information Service (RaISe) watch 

Following the interruption Mr Pidgeon returns to the call, seemingly unflustered by the pigeon

Following the interruption Mr Pidgeon returns to the call, seemingly unflustered by the pigeon

'Colin, go and put the pigeon outside, we'll skip that question, you just go and put the pigeon outside,' he suggested.

Mr Pidgeon confirmed the bird appeared to be unharmed, saying: 'It flew off so the cat hasn't killed it.'

Mr Frew was not so confident about the pigeon's prospects.

'We'll know what type of soup you're eating tonight, Colin,' he joked.

Assembly members watching the scene unfold on Zoom from the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings in Belfast

Assembly members watching the scene unfold on Zoom from the Senate Chamber of Parliament Buildings in Belfast

Committee chairman Steve Aiken advised that the researcher 'go and put the pigeon outside'

Committee chairman Steve Aiken advised that the researcher 'go and put the pigeon outside'

Deputy committee chairman Paul Frew (pictured) wryly asked the Assembly broadcasters to expand Mr Pidgeon's quadrant of the TV to full-screen mode so they could get a good look

Deputy committee chairman Paul Frew (pictured) wryly asked the Assembly broadcasters to expand Mr Pidgeon's quadrant of the TV to full-screen mode so they could get a good look

Once Mr Pidgeon returned to his seat he was offered universal praise for how he dealt with the unexpected visitor.

'Congratulations Colin, well done,' said Mr Aiken.

Mr Frew added: 'You kept your composure the whole way through that - amazing.'

Mr Pidgeon offered an assurance to the committee that it was not a regular occurrence in his household.

Mr Pidgeon later shared a picture of his cat with the caption: 'Proud cat owning moment'

Mr Pidgeon later shared a picture of his cat with the caption: 'Proud cat owning moment'

'I've never been interrupted by wildlife before,' he insisted.

He later shared a picture of his cat with the caption: 'Proud cat owning moment'. 

MailOnline has contacted Mr Pidgeon for comment.