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Apology over Holocaust statement Apology over Holocaust statement
(41 minutes later)
A council chief has apologised after writing that anyone who "slags off" the authority could be ranked with those who deny the Holocaust.A council chief has apologised after writing that anyone who "slags off" the authority could be ranked with those who deny the Holocaust.
Alan Jones, who has been chief executive at Somerset County Council since 2003, made the remark in an internal newsletter.Alan Jones, who has been chief executive at Somerset County Council since 2003, made the remark in an internal newsletter.
He later said he meant to cause no offence, but was criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.He later said he meant to cause no offence, but was criticised by the Board of Deputies of British Jews.
The Board's Bernard Barnett, said: "He needs to retract the statement."The Board's Bernard Barnett, said: "He needs to retract the statement."
Mr Barnett added: "The murder of six million innocent people, including women, children and babies - you cannot equate that to the workings of a county council."Mr Barnett added: "The murder of six million innocent people, including women, children and babies - you cannot equate that to the workings of a county council."
In the light of this assessment, they now join the ranks of those who believe the earth is flat, that the Holocaust never happened, and those who dress as pirates to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster and his noodly appendages Alan Jones They now join the ranks of those who believe the earth is flat, that the Holocaust never happened, and those who dress as pirates to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster and his noodly appendages Alan Jones
Mr Jones, formerly chief executive of Test Valley Borough Council in Hampshire, wrote that the Audit Commission had ranked the authority's performance as "excellent" - and anyone doubting it was like someone claiming the Holocaust never happened.Mr Jones, formerly chief executive of Test Valley Borough Council in Hampshire, wrote that the Audit Commission had ranked the authority's performance as "excellent" - and anyone doubting it was like someone claiming the Holocaust never happened.
He warned there would still be critics "slagging us off" but added: "In the light of this assessment, they now join the ranks of those who believe the earth is flat, that the Holocaust never happened, and those who dress as pirates to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster and his noodly appendages."He warned there would still be critics "slagging us off" but added: "In the light of this assessment, they now join the ranks of those who believe the earth is flat, that the Holocaust never happened, and those who dress as pirates to worship the Flying Spaghetti Monster and his noodly appendages."
'Apologise unreservedly''Apologise unreservedly'
Mr Jones, who earns up to £157,000 a year, later said: "The point that I made in my article is that some people seek to portray the council in a bad light by distorting the facts.Mr Jones, who earns up to £157,000 a year, later said: "The point that I made in my article is that some people seek to portray the council in a bad light by distorting the facts.
"In this way, some people deny that the council has been externally and objectively assessed by the Audit Commission as an excellent four-star authority."In this way, some people deny that the council has been externally and objectively assessed by the Audit Commission as an excellent four-star authority.
"To illustrate the point, I used two of the most extreme examples of where hard facts have been foolishly denied."To illustrate the point, I used two of the most extreme examples of where hard facts have been foolishly denied.
"In making that point, I was not equating criticism of Somerset County Council to denial of the Holocaust or in any way trivialising the horror of that awful event."In making that point, I was not equating criticism of Somerset County Council to denial of the Holocaust or in any way trivialising the horror of that awful event.
"When taken in context, I would be surprised if people were to take offence at my comments, but if some have, I apologise unreservedly.""When taken in context, I would be surprised if people were to take offence at my comments, but if some have, I apologise unreservedly."
Mr Jones was supported by Amshid Ahmadi, chairman of the council's Black and Minority Ethnic Employees Network.Mr Jones was supported by Amshid Ahmadi, chairman of the council's Black and Minority Ethnic Employees Network.
He said: "Alan is right to equate the views of those denying the progress of the council in providing excellent services to the people of Somerset with those denying facts demonstrated by the most basic historical evidence."He said: "Alan is right to equate the views of those denying the progress of the council in providing excellent services to the people of Somerset with those denying facts demonstrated by the most basic historical evidence."
The council, which employs more than 17,000, added it had received many comments of support for Mr Jones.The council, which employs more than 17,000, added it had received many comments of support for Mr Jones.