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Tory councillor quits over remarks about ethnic children Tory councillor quits over remarks about ethnic children
(35 minutes later)
A councillor has resigned from the Conservative Party over remarks made about children from ethnic minorities.A councillor has resigned from the Conservative Party over remarks made about children from ethnic minorities.
John Cherry claimed Pakistani children would fail to "rise to the top" and that some nationalities were "uncertain" when it came to hard work.John Cherry claimed Pakistani children would fail to "rise to the top" and that some nationalities were "uncertain" when it came to hard work.
He was responding to reports that an Eton-style boarding school could be opened in West Sussex.He was responding to reports that an Eton-style boarding school could be opened in West Sussex.
In resigning, Mr Cherry, 73, who sits on Chichester District Council, said the comments were "extremely foolish".In resigning, Mr Cherry, 73, who sits on Chichester District Council, said the comments were "extremely foolish".
'Regret distress''Regret distress'
The councillor, who represents the village of Stedham, made his comments to the Mail on Sunday about a plan by the south London-based Durand Academy to open a boarding school in the village.The councillor, who represents the village of Stedham, made his comments to the Mail on Sunday about a plan by the south London-based Durand Academy to open a boarding school in the village.
He told the paper: "Ninety-seven per cent of pupils will be black or Asian. It depends what type of Asian. If they're Chinese they'll rise to the top. If they're Indian they'll rise to the top. If they're Pakistani they won't.He told the paper: "Ninety-seven per cent of pupils will be black or Asian. It depends what type of Asian. If they're Chinese they'll rise to the top. If they're Indian they'll rise to the top. If they're Pakistani they won't.
"There are certain nationalities where hard work is highly valued. There are certain nationalities where they are uncertain what this hard work is all about."There are certain nationalities where hard work is highly valued. There are certain nationalities where they are uncertain what this hard work is all about.
"If the children are not allowed out of the site then it will make them want to escape into the forest - it will be a sexual volcano." "If the children are not allowed out of the site then it will make them want to escape into the forest - it will be a sexual volcano.
"Has anyone asked whether these children want to be plucked from their natural surroundings? They have never done boarding before, so they won't know how it works.
"The trauma of taking the children out of their natural surroundings is going to be considerable."
His remarks have been heavily criticised and led to moves by the Conservative Party to suspend him.His remarks have been heavily criticised and led to moves by the Conservative Party to suspend him.
But Mr Cherry has now resigned and in a statement he apologised for the comments.But Mr Cherry has now resigned and in a statement he apologised for the comments.
"My remarks about Durand Academy, as reported in the Mail on Sunday, were plainly wrong."My remarks about Durand Academy, as reported in the Mail on Sunday, were plainly wrong.
"They were thoughtless and extremely foolish. I unreservedly apologise and withdraw them. I very much regret the distress this must have caused.""They were thoughtless and extremely foolish. I unreservedly apologise and withdraw them. I very much regret the distress this must have caused."
A Conservative Party spokesman branded his comments "totally unacceptable" and said they did "not reflect the views of the Conservative Party".A Conservative Party spokesman branded his comments "totally unacceptable" and said they did "not reflect the views of the Conservative Party".