Plans to honour those killed in French terror attack

Friday 15 July 2016

Jersey’s Town Hall could be floodlit in the French colours of red, white, and blue tonight as a mark of respect for those killed in last night’s terrorist attack in Nice.

Just before 11pm a driver rode up on to the pavement on the Promenade des Anglais into a crowd of people celebrating Bastille Day - a French national holiday.

It’s so far been reported that 84 people were killed, some of them children.

President Francois Hollande says the attack was of, “...an undeniable terrorist nature."

Every year on Bastille Day the Town Hall hosts a vin d’honneur for French residents, and yesterday the tricolor was flying from the flag pole near the cenotaph. Constable Simon Crowcroft says he’d like to fly the flag again – this time at half-mast, but is checking the etiquette.

Meanwhile the Island's Bailiff, William Bailhache, has directed that flags on key States and Government Buildings be flown at half-mast. A Book of Condolence has also been opened. It's in the main entrance to the States Building/ Royal Court in the Royal Square.

The Bailiff has also issued the following statement: "I know that all of us have been deeply shocked at the events in Nice yesterday evening. We do not yet know the nationalities of all involved and indeed whether any from Jersey are involved. But clearly many French people have been directly affected and I have written to the President of France on behalf of the States and people of this Island to express our sympathy and sadness at the loss of life and injuries suffered. Our immediate thoughts, in particular, lie with the families of those affected by this tragedy."

Jersey’s Chief Minister, Senator Ian Gorst, said: "I share the horror and shock that has been felt across the world following the appalling attack in Nice last night. As an Island, we have a deep and longstanding relationship with our neighbours in France, and we stand ready to help in any way that we can. I have written to the French President to express our profound sadness at this cowardly, despicable act, which was perpetrated on a day that should have been a joyful celebration for the people of France.”

Meanwhile, the French Honorary Consul, David Myatt, says he’s not in a position to comment, but is checking with the French Embassy in London, and might be issuing a statement later today.