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Guernsey chief minister defends anti-racism comments Guernsey chief minister defends anti-racism comments
(35 minutes later)
The chief minister of Guernsey has vowed to continue to speak out against racism in his community and further afield despite being vilified for suggesting Syrian refugees could not be accepted on the island partly because of Islamophobia.The chief minister of Guernsey has vowed to continue to speak out against racism in his community and further afield despite being vilified for suggesting Syrian refugees could not be accepted on the island partly because of Islamophobia.
Jonathan Le Tocq made headlines around the globe and was criticised by Guernsey people who felt he was wrongly depicting residents as bigots. He was also criticised by those who strongly oppose the island receiving refugees but now fear that their home will become a terrorist target because of his remarks. Jonathan Le Tocq made headlines around the globe and was criticised by Guernsey people, who felt he was wrongly depicting residents as bigots. He was also criticised by those who strongly oppose the island receiving refugees but now fear that their home will become a terrorist target because of his remarks.
Le Tocq said he regretted that his words had led to Guernsey – which gave Victor Hugo sanctuary in the 19th century and which he described as a “rock of hospitality and freedom” – being portrayed as a home to xenophobes. He said: “It grates to be portrayed in some quarters as the leader of a far-right group. I’m more of a Guardian reader. In retrospect I could have used better terminology but I do think xenophobia exists in small communities. There is fear of the unknown and the outside. It exists in the UK, France, everywhere. I don’t think tiptoeing around the subject or pretending it’s not there helps. On a personal basis when I come across it, I challenge it. Le Tocq said he regretted that his words had led to Guernsey – which gave Victor Hugo sanctuary in the 19th century and which he described as a “rock of hospitality and freedom” – being portrayed as a home to xenophobes.
“Ignoring it does not help it go away. We need to have open, public dialogue with all sides speaking, not just those who speak with vitriol. Those of us who think differently need to stand up. I’m not ashamed of raising the issue. It’s not enough for governments to legislate on anti-discrimination and anti-racism. It’s up to all of us to participate.” He said: “It grates to be portrayed in some quarters as the leader of a far-right group. I’m more of a Guardian reader. In retrospect I could have used better terminology but I do think xenophobia exists in small communities.
“There is fear of the unknown and the outside. It exists in the UK, France, everywhere. I don’t think tiptoeing around the subject or pretending it’s not there helps. On a personal basis when I come across it, I challenge it.
Voices from Guernsey on "Islamophobia" row - Chief minister Jonathan Le Tocq. https://t.co/HX2ZlfwP8iVoices from Guernsey on "Islamophobia" row - Chief minister Jonathan Le Tocq. https://t.co/HX2ZlfwP8i
Le Tocq, who says he passionately believes the island should look to take refugees, said that dozens of people had come forward to offer places for Syrians in their homes. However he had also received calls and letters from people who were strongly against the idea and had even been spat at in a supermarket. “Ignoring it does not help it go away. We need to have open, public dialogue with all sides speaking, not just those who speak with vitriol. Those of us who think differently need to stand up. I’m not ashamed of raising the issue. It’s not enough for governments to legislate on anti-discrimination and anti-racism. It’s up to all of us to participate.”
The States of Guernsey, which governs the island, has been examining the possibility of taking in about 20 Syrian refugees for several months. There are problems. For a start, Guernsey’s status as a crown dependency, within the British Isles but not part of the UK or the EU, means the mechanism for accepting Syrians under the Westminster government’s scheme is not straightforward. Le Tocq, who says he passionately believes the island should look to take refugees, said that dozens of people had come forward to offer places for Syrians in their homes. However, he had also received calls and letters from people who were strongly against the idea and had even been spat at in a supermarket.
The States of Guernsey, which governs the island, has been examining the possibility of taking in about 20 Syrian refugees for several months. There are problems. For a start, Guernsey’s status as a crown dependency, within the British isles but not part of the UK or the EU, means the mechanism for accepting Syrians under the Westminster government’s scheme is not straightforward.
Voices from Guernsey on "Islamophobia" row - Karen Le Page. https://t.co/JQo4d3fSgwVoices from Guernsey on "Islamophobia" row - Karen Le Page. https://t.co/JQo4d3fSgw
Guernsey, which lies 30 miles off the French coast and 70 miles off the south coast of England, is not covered by the NHS, so there would be complications if a refugee needed complex medical care. Housing is another issue: Guernsey is well-heeled – the median average wage is about £30,000 – but there is little social housing for those who are not rich. Schooling is free but it is possible that extra teachers would have to be hired to look after children who do not speak English. Guernsey, which lies 30 miles off the French coast and 70 miles off the south coast of England, is not part of the NHS, so there would be complications if a refugee needed complex medical care. Housing is another issue: Guernsey is well-heeled – the median average wage is about £30,000 – but there is little social housing for those who are not rich. Schooling is free but it is possible that extra teachers would have to be hired to look after children who do not speak English.
Last week the Guernsey government announced it would not take in refugees under the UK government’s Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme, saying it did not have the infrastructure to meet their needs and that there were legal and practical issues relating to refugee rights. But, the next day, Le Tocq gave a BBC interview in which he mentioned Islamophobia and the storm began.Last week the Guernsey government announced it would not take in refugees under the UK government’s Syrian vulnerable persons relocation scheme, saying it did not have the infrastructure to meet their needs and that there were legal and practical issues relating to refugee rights. But, the next day, Le Tocq gave a BBC interview in which he mentioned Islamophobia and the storm began.
“I was really upset at that,” said Karen Le Page, an administrator for a charity supporting adults with disabilities. “I think it has made us look selfish, unkind. Which isn’t the case.” She is one of those who believes a way should be found to allow refugees to come, no matter what legal problems arise. “When you see the images of the refugees, especially those children, you have to do something,” she said. “I was really upset at that,” said Karen Le Page, an administrator for a charity supporting adults with disabilities. “I think it has made us look selfish, unkind. Which isn’t the case.”
She is one of those who believes a way should be found to allow refugees to come, no matter what legal problems arise. “When you see the images of the refugees, especially those children, you have to do something,” she said.
“There’s always room,” said another fundraiser, Chelsea Ogier. “It’s ridiculous to suggest that we can’t help. We can and we should.”“There’s always room,” said another fundraiser, Chelsea Ogier. “It’s ridiculous to suggest that we can’t help. We can and we should.”
The views expressed at the White Rock Cafe on the quayside – where many of the locals speak Guernsey French – were less straightforward. Barry Paint, a retired marine pilot, said he did not believe people on Guernsey were Islamophobic. “We’ve welcomed people from all sort of places over the years. It’s nonsense to suggest we’re racist.”The views expressed at the White Rock Cafe on the quayside – where many of the locals speak Guernsey French – were less straightforward. Barry Paint, a retired marine pilot, said he did not believe people on Guernsey were Islamophobic. “We’ve welcomed people from all sort of places over the years. It’s nonsense to suggest we’re racist.”
But Paint, whose family have lived on Guernsey since 1590, said the island was small. “We’ve got 63,000 people living on 24 square miles. We don’t have that much room and we don’t want to turn into a little version of England.”But Paint, whose family have lived on Guernsey since 1590, said the island was small. “We’ve got 63,000 people living on 24 square miles. We don’t have that much room and we don’t want to turn into a little version of England.”
Voices from Guernsey on "Islamophobia" row - Barry Paint. https://t.co/NvzR3pxptLVoices from Guernsey on "Islamophobia" row - Barry Paint. https://t.co/NvzR3pxptL
Driving instructor Dave Sheppard’s father was a wartime refugee, one of 17,000 who fled to the UK from Germany – another reason why Le Tocq believes the island has a moral right to take in Syrians. He said he had spent happy times with Muslims while on holiday in Dubai and the Maldives – but felt the island would be stretching itself if it took in refugees now. “People think we have lots of money here. There are people with a lot of money but there are people struggling. I think we should look after our own first.” Driving instructor Dave Sheppard’s father was a wartime refugee, one of 17,000 who fled to the UK from Germany – another reason why Le Tocq believes the island has a moral duty to take in Syrians. He said he had spent happy times with Muslims while on holiday in Dubai and the Maldives – but felt the island would be stretching itself if it took in refugees now.
“People think we have lots of money here. There are people with a lot of money but there are people struggling. I think we should look after our own first.”
Starker views are expressed on websites and Twitter. Several people continue to equate refugees with criminals or terrorists. On the Guernsey Press website, one reader commented: “Any indigenous resistance of Europeans who refuse to hand over the countries of their ancestors to often radical and criminal Muslim foreigners is labeled ‘hateful’, ‘racist’, even ‘Nazi’.”
Another said the chief minister had “given a good reason for Isis to declare ‘open season’ on the people of Guernsey”.
Related: For Pete's Sark! Guernsey demands removal from EU tax haven blacklistRelated: For Pete's Sark! Guernsey demands removal from EU tax haven blacklist
Starker views are expressed on websites and Twitter. Several people continue to equate refugees with criminals or terrorists. On the Guernsey Press website, one reader commented: “Any indigenous resistance of Europeans who refuse to hand over the countries of their ancestors to often radical and criminal Muslim foreigners is labeled ‘hateful’, ‘racist’, even ‘Nazi’. Another said the chief minister had “given a good reason for Isis to declare ‘open season’ on the people of Guernsey”. There are few Muslim people on Guernsey – about 90 – working in a variety of industries from hospitality to finance. Abdul Sohail, of the Guernsey Islamic Charitable Trust, said he did not feel islanders were Islamophobic. “Guernsey is a very safe place and in general people are very friendly and accommodating,” he said.
There are few Muslim people on Guernsey – about 90 – working in a variety of industries from hospitality to high finance. Abdul Sohail, of the Guernsey Islamic Charitable Trust, said he did not feel islanders were Islamophobic. “Guernsey is a very safe place and in general people are very friendly and accommodating,” he said.