A RENOWNED Holocaust historian and researcher has said she “deeply regrets” calling Alderney’s community “hostile” after the island formally cut ties with her.
Dr Gilly Carr was until this month a representative for Alderney within the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance.
In her role, Dr Carr was involved in the new UK-led inquiry to establish exactly what happened and how many people died in the island during its occupation by German soldiers during the Second World War.
But Alderney formally ended the relationship after a video of a presentation in which Dr Carr described the local community as “hostile” emerged online. That video was swiftly made private when the comments were noticed and shared – but copies continued to circulate on social media.
Yesterday, the States of Alderney confirmed that Dr Carr had provided a public apology in a letter to the island for the offence caused.
“I am writing to offer a full and sincere apology to you, the States Members and the people of Alderney, for the offence I have caused through my poor choice of words in the seminar at which I spoke several months ago,” she wrote.
“I deeply regret the harm I have caused to the reputation of the island and relationships with those outside Alderney.”
At the same time, the island confirmed that Sally Sealy, deputy head of the UK delegation to the IHRA, had agreed to represent the island instead. Dr Carr continues to represent Guernsey and Jersey within the IHRA.
It was also confirmed that the island would comply with the IHRA Holocaust Charter “as far as the island’s limited resources permit”.
Planning applications have been submitted to place more information boards at historical sites around the island: Lager Helgoland, Lager Norderney, Lager Borkum, the Russian Cemetery and the Hospital Bunker in Longis Road.
An information board is already on display at the Lager Sylt camp next to Alderney’s airport.
In 2019, the IHRA began a project to protect Holocaust sites. Eight recommendations were made for protections in Alderney.
In 2021, the island hosted Lord Eric Pickles and Dr Carr, who visited various sites. Their visit 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 it and the IHRA “manage the narrative of the island’s history during the Nazi occupation”.
