Deputy who sought vote on overseas aid is ‘disrespected’
AN EMOTIONALLY-CHARGED debate into the future of overseas aid saw a controversial amendment thrown out by the Assembly.
Deputy Lester Queripel called for Policy & Resources to consult the public on whether aid should continue to be funded from general revenue or if it should come exclusively from private contributions.
His amendment, which was seconded by Deputy Joe Mooney, was defeated by 32 votes to 4.
Deputy Queripel said that, in the lead-up to the debate, he had been threatened with physical violence by islanders who thought he wanted to withdraw funding.
He said he was simply representing other members of the community who felt the public should have the final say. ‘I have been approached by so many islanders who have said they are not happy with the money spent on overseas aid when we cannot sort out our own problems,’ he told the Assembly.
The deputies who supported the amendment were Lester Queripel, Joe Mooney and Laurie Queripel and Alderney representative Louis Jean.
Full story in today's Guernsey Press
