Tory Councillor John Cherry Condemned For 'Racist' Comments About Immigrant Children

Tory Councillor Slammed For 'Racist' Comments

A Tory councillor has been condemned by his party for making "totally unacceptable" comments about immigrant school children.

Responding to proposals by London academy the Durand Academy to open an Eton-style boarding school in the Sussex countryside, Councillor John Cherry was quoted by the Mail on Sunday warning Pakistani children will fail to "rise to the top", and that some nationalities are "uncertain" what hard work is about.

The Chichester councillor said children allowed "out of the site" would want to "escape into the forest - it will be a sexual volcano".

Cherry is Tory councillor for Chichester

A Conservative Party spokesman said: "These comments are totally unacceptable and do not reflect the views of the Conservative Party and we are investigating."

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.

"David Cameron must condemn his councillor's words and take immediate action against Councillor Cherry to show that he will not accept racism in his party."

The plans of the Durand Academy, which is based in Stockwell, south London, have sparked some opposition from people living near the proposed boarding school site.

The proposal is to use St Cuthman's School, a disused boarding school in Stedham, West Sussex.

Councillor Cherry, who represents the village, was quoted as saying: "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.

"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."

Councillor Cherry declined to comment on the accuracy of the comments or to make any further comment when contacted by the Press Association.

A Tory source said: "Proceedings to suspend him have begun".

The plans of the Durand Academy, which is based in Stockwell, south London, have sparked some opposition from people living near the proposed boarding school site.

The proposal is to use St Cuthman's School, a disused boarding school in Stedham,West Sussex.

Councillor Cherry, who represents the village, told the Mail on Sunday: "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.

"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."

Cherry declined to comment on the accuracy of the comments or to make any further comment when contacted by the Press Association.

The Wellington and Cambridge-educated chartered accountant has lived in the area for more than 30 years, according to the Chichester District Council website.

According to his biography on the website, the "committed Christian" is "passionate about the preservation of this beautiful area for current and future generation, within a framework run by local people".

Kate Hoey, the Vauxhall MP whose constituency contains the Durand Academy, said on Twitter: "I invite Cllr Cherry to visit Durand Academy in Stockwell to meet those who will be boarding. Stedham will gain hugely from their presence."

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