Kylie attacks MPs over auction of her knickers
By Christine Sams and Alex Mitchell THE SUN HERALD

Singer Kylie Minogue has her knickers in a twist over the sale of memorabilia in her name at two Labor Party functions in NSW.

After reading a report in The Sun-Herald last week that described the sale of her underwear - and signed photographs - to eager bidders at Labor Party lunches, Minogue lashed out.

Minogue was reading The Sun-Herald at Singapore airport when she learned that two fans had spent more than $7,000 in a bid to own a piece of her underwear collection and signed photographs.

In a letter to The Sun-Herald, Minogue wrote: "I was not aware of the existence of these framed items, where the photographs came from, the auctions, the MPs, where my supposed 'signature' came from, or most importantly where the funds raised are going!

"The funds that I do help to raise, with donated photos and memorabilia, are for charities in need and not political fundraisers. "My apologies to the successful bidding parties if they were under the impression that I had signed or donated these framed items."

It has emerged that the knickers were not worn by Minogue but were from her lingerie label, Love Kylie.

Geoff Pope, manager of Autograph World, which provided the merchandise for the auctions, confirmed he had brought them for $20 and had them framed.

He said there had never been any suggestion that they had been worn by Minogue.

But Mr Waller, who owns the Berry Hotel, said he bought them on the basis that they had.

"Ever since I bought them I've fielded at least 50 phone calls from people who were interested in seeing the underwear," he said. "I've had hordes of people coming into the pub, just to see if they were on the wall."

Ms Macryannis, a Surry Hills publican, said she was highly distressed about spending $5,000 on merchandising that had not been donated by Minogue.

"So they weren't even Kylie's knickers?" she said when told of Minogue's letter. "I'm so upset."

"This is not right, I bought these things in good faith.."

Minogue said she would compensate Ms Macryannis and Mr Waller, saying she would sign fresh photographs and reframe other items at her own expense.