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The President of the States of Alderney has said the island's residents live "day by day" with the reminders of the horrors of the Occupation and that they will "never forget the ultimate price" paid by so many people.
William Tate was responding to comments made and reported about the island community being "hostile".
The initial comments have been attributed to Dr Gilly Carr - a well respected historian with an avid interest in the Channel Islands and the Second World War.
Dr Carr is the Channel Islands representative for the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and she is involved in the inquiry to establish exactly what happened in Alderney and how many people may have died there after the German occupying forces took over the island.
Some estimates put the death toll at many times more than the hundreds officially recognised as having died as a result of slave work, starvation and torture.
Pictured: Dr Gilly Carr is an expert on the Channel Islands' Second World War history.
While discussing Alderney with other historians, Dr Carr was allegedly recorded saying that people in Alderney are "hostile" among other comments.
The video of this conversation was on Youtube but has been made private since it was highlighted by people angry at Dr Carr's choice of words earlier this week.
Dr Carr has been unavailable for direct comment as she attends to family matters while on holiday in Guernsey. Express hopes to speak with her fully next week.
Pictured: The Youtube video which is said to contain a reference to Alderney as a "hostile community" has been set to private since concerns were first raised.
Commenting on the description of Alderney as having a ‘hostile community’, the States of Alderney President, Mr Tate said “we do not recognise the characterisation of Alderney people as a hostile community."
He also said he noted that Dr Carr has subsequently apologised for her comments in the media.
Mr Tate continued, saying: "Alderney is acutely aware of the tragedy that took place in their absence during the Occupation following the Evacuation.
"We live day by day with constant reminders of that terrible time.
We will never forget the ultimate price that was paid by those innocent victims.”
Pictured: The President of the States of Alderney, William Tate.
Mr Tate also reminded readers that Alderney’s Hammond Memorial was built by island residents to remember the slaves and forced labourers who were brought to the island during the war.
A sign was also recently erected at Lager Sylt forced labour camp, giving details of the history of the site.
UK says Guernsey's Holocaust records will be "publicly available
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