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Labelling the Alderney community as “hostile” for its attitudes towards Holocaust atrocities which occurred in the island was a “poor choice of words”, according to the expert who was later dropped as a leading representative for that chapter of history.
Dr Gilly Carr, a renowned historian, is the Channel Islands representative for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) and involved in the new UK-led inquiry to establish exactly what happened and how many people died in Alderney during the German occupation.
But Alderney formally cut ties with her after offensive comments were made, where she was recorded saying the islands’ people were “hostile” in a Youtube video with other historians, which was swiftly made private after said comments were noticed and publicised.
Dr Carr has now provided a “full and sincere” public apology to the island for the offence caused in a letter to the States of Alderney.
“I deeply regret the harm I have caused to the reputation of the island and relationships with those outside Alderney,” she said.
Dr Carr continues to represent Guernsey and Jersey at the IHRA.
Pictured: The remnants of the Lager Sylt concentration camp.
Alderney’s Policy & Finance Committee say Sally Sealy, Deputy Head of the UK delegation to the IHRA, has agreed to representative the island instead.
P&F added that it will comply with the IHRA Holocaust Charter “as far as the island limited resources permit”. Planning application have been submitted for more information boards around historical sites in the island: Lager Helgoland, Lager Nordeney, Lager Borkrum, the Russian Cemetary, and the Hosptial Bunker in Longis Road.
A board is already on display at the Lager Sylt camp next to the Airport.
In 2019, the IHRA began a project to protect authentic Holocaust sites. Eight recommendations were made for protections in Alderney.
In 2021, the island hosted the Lord Eric Pickles, and Dr Carr.
They visited various sites and led to a commitment to create a five-year plan for the island – delayed due to covid – which the States of Alderney said would help the island and the IHRA “manage the narrative of the island’s history during the Nazi occupation".
Pictured (top): Dr Gilly Carr.
Tate: Alderney people are not hostile
UK says Guernsey's Holocaust records will be "publicly available
FOCUS: Searching for the truth about the Nazis in Alderney
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