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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."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.""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.
Stephen Twigg MP, Labour's shadow education secretary, said: "When a Tory councillor makes openly racist comments like these, it's no surprise people still think of the Conservatives as the nasty party."Stephen Twigg MP, Labour's shadow education secretary, said: "When a Tory councillor makes openly racist comments like these, it's no surprise people still think of the Conservatives as the nasty party."
He called on the prime minister to condemn the councillor's words and take immediate action against Mr Cherry to show that he would not accept racism in his party.
Comments 'bizarre'Comments 'bizarre'
But Mr Cherry has now resigned and in a statement he apologised for the comments. In a statement, Mr Cherry said: "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".
Kate Hoey, Labour MP for Vauxhall, said she was "disappointed" with the comments and pleased that Mr Cherry had apologised.
"For many of these youngsters, they are living in quite deprived circumstances, they may well not have opportunities for very good places to do their homework after school," she said.
"In a boarding element, the school day will be much longer, there will be opportunities for the activities such as music, drama and sport.
"Michael Gove [Secretary of State for Education] has been very supportive of the project sine the beginning.
'Just nonsense'
Greg Martin, head teacher of the Durand Academy, said the councillor's comments were "bizarre".Greg Martin, head teacher of the Durand Academy, said the councillor's comments were "bizarre".
He said: "They are bizarre comments aren't they, and belong in another age. I mean this is just nonsense."He said: "They are bizarre comments aren't they, and belong in another age. I mean this is just nonsense."
He said about 97% of the pupils at the Sussex school would be Afro-Caribbean but would prove to be "extraordinarily hard-working young people of our country and we'll be fantastically proud of them". He said about 97% of the pupils at the Sussex school would be African Caribbean but would prove to be "extraordinarily hard-working young people of our country and we'll be fantastically proud of them".
When asked if the school would alter the character of the area, Mr Martin said: "We're not altering it. We're adding to it and making it better.When asked if the school would alter the character of the area, Mr Martin said: "We're not altering it. We're adding to it and making it better.
"I think these comments by some of the local people - I may stress there are dozens of supportive people who are really looking forward to this - there are a very small minority of people who have made regrettable comments - but we're not going to alter it, we're going to add to and enrich the area.""I think these comments by some of the local people - I may stress there are dozens of supportive people who are really looking forward to this - there are a very small minority of people who have made regrettable comments - but we're not going to alter it, we're going to add to and enrich the area."
The proposal is to use St Cuthman's School, a disused boarding school in Stedham.The proposal is to use St Cuthman's School, a disused boarding school in Stedham.