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Council refuses to back charity event for wounded British soldiers - in case it offends ethnic minorities
Last updated at 09:33am on 23.07.08
A council refused to back a military charity event for fear of offending minority groups.
Richard Chamberlain had applied for a £500 grant to help him raise cash for Help for Heroes, which cares for wounded soldiers.
But Portsmouth City Council turned down the 57-year-old, saying in a letter: 'The event could cause offence to ethnic minority groups living in the community who may also have experience of injury/violence due to the war.'
Portsmouth is well known for its links with the Navy, yet councillors initially rejected the request for a grant to help raise cash for wounded soldiers
After further appeals, council chiefs backed down and agreed to fully support the fun day on September 20.
'I am absolutely over the moon that they have changed their minds,' said Mr Chamberlain yesterday. 'When you think of Portsmouth you think of ships and the navy. This is a military town and has been for years.'
Steven Wylie, a senior councillor, admitted that the initial decision was an error of judgment.
He said: 'I would like to apologise unreservedly for any offence caused by the decision to turn down an application for funding.'
Reader views (11)
Here's a sample of the latest views published.
Just when I think that things cannot get any worse over there, boom, something like this happens. What an absolute disgrace these spineless councillors are! But where`s the outrage, the condemnation from so-called politicians, the demonstrations?
- Mick Harman, San Diego, California
That is a sad sad story and shows how sick our governments are.
- A Paul, West Palm Beach,Fl.
Whatever the rights and wrongs of the case it can hardly be called a 'left wing dictatorship' since labour don't run the council. The majority are Conservative and Liberal Democrat and Councillor Wylie is a Lib Dem.
- Richard, London
And yet they have just offended the whole nation with their anti British statement? I would like to know what war they are referring to, that people in their community have been affected by? Is there a large Iraqi community in Portsmouth that we don't know about? And even if there was wouldn't they be glad we are in Iraq as that would probably be the reason they were able to flee the country? Its stuff like this that fuels the BNP's rise in popularity as these elected officials are out of touch with reality.
- Brandon Thomas, London UK
Many servicemen develop respect for those they are fighting against. However, the people involved in this decision are not worthy of respect!
- Michael, London
Sack them.
- Malc, London,England
Same ol', same ol'. I once believed in helping the minority having a voice until the minority bit the hand that fed it. No one helps anyone any more for fear of offending another? Since when? I'm foreign and moved here to live the British Way - don't take that away!
- Lorraine, Harold Hill
The time has passed arriving when we must act against these wretched, dictatorial councils that impose such ridiculous decisions on us -- and others, such as forcing us to submit to stupid rules that, in one asinine case, demands that villagers actually load their rubbish into their cars and haul it themselves to another villages. We need to take a medium-term but certainly powerful step -- jot down the names of all these council members and make sure they are voted out of office at the nearest election. Once they recognize their cushy little jobs are at risk, I suspect these council scum will take heed finally of what we say -- and want. So remember, take down names and vote them out! -- then warn the next lot coming in that the the same fate awaits them if they don't take heed. This arrogance has to stop -- and it's as simple as that.
- Al Webb, Croughton, Northamptonshire
No surprise in this left wing dictatorship we now live in. Perhaps the 'councillor' could be named and shamed as he is not fit to hold office! Disgusting and a shameful slur on our brave troops.
- Gary, wycombe
That council are scum.
- Frank, Home Counties, England.
Why do our public officials seem to hate the majority of the people who live in this country? Do our feelings not count for anything?
- Derek, London
