Elizabeth Hurley champagne defiance in NYC

Oct 2, 2006, 15:17 GMT

Elizabeth Hurley © Janet Mayer / Photorazzi

Elizabeth Hurley delayed a New York ferry for 20 minutes after refusing to obey the rules that no champagne could be taken onboard.

The 'Austin Powers' actress had attended the 120th anniversary party of champagne house Moët and Chandon on Liberty Island last Thursday (28.09.06) and boarded a ferry back to Manhattan with a magnum of champagne and three glasses.

Guests were told they were not allowed champagne on board the ferry, but Hurley, 41, was the only person who ignored the rules.

One guest said: "Everyone else graciously agreed to abide by the rules."

The ferry departed 20 minutes late after security guards finally managed to persuade Hurley to give up the champagne.

A ferry worker told Britain's Mail on Sunday newspaper: "She basically had the top deck all to herself and police were arguing with her. Put it this way, I heard a lot of yelling and argument."

Hurley, the former girlfriend of Hugh Grant, has demonstrated her diva-like temper in the past.

In 2003, she was left fuming after British Airways staff refused to upgrade her fiancé, Indian tycoon Arun Nayar.

She allegedly shouted: "Do you know who I am? I bloody demand that he is upgraded. Don't you know he's a millionaire?"

(C) BANG Media International