Summary

  • Updates from Tuesday 8 May until Friday 11 May 2018

Live Reporting

  1. Disability groups align against assisted dying

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    The Guernsey Disability Alliance has "adopted a position against" authorising the legalisation of assisted dying in Guernsey.

    The charity claims that "initial evidence" suggests that the majority of its members are opposed to the concept, but admits they haven't been able to produce an "accurately weighted representation" in the time since the debate first arose.

    The executive board is conscious that where and how the lines are drawn across the continuum of persons seeking assisted dying is a particularly crucial issue for socially vulnerable groups, including persons with long-term disabilities and persons living in poverty. Because persons in the last stages of a terminal illness are, by that stage, also invariably disabled, this issue is extremely important to us."

    Guernsey Disability Alliance

    Holding handsGetty Images

  2. Battle of Flowers ambassador: 'Change is necessary'

    Chris Quevatre
    BBC News Online

    A change in the concept of Jersey's Miss Battle competition was "necessary" according to the new St Helier ambassador.

    Maisie Robertson, 17, won what used to be called the Miss St Helier competition this weekend.

    It's the first time an ambassador has been chosen for the parish, after Battle organisers decided to modernise the Miss Battle concept.

    It's emerged that the leader of Jersey's Methodist Church wrote to the organising committee in January claiming that Miss Battle was "no longer acceptable" to the public.

    It's sad to see tradition go but I think change is necessary if it's evolving and everything is changing. We didn't have a Mr Junior role a few years back but I think it's definitely evolved and become a great thing.

    Maisie Robertson, Miss St Helier Ambassador

    Battle of flowers

  3. Concern over school's sex ed policy

    Rory O'Reilly
    BBC Radio Guernsey

    Teachers and parents have told the BBC they're concerned by a school's sex education policy which doesn't mention contraception, but does feature abstinence.

    Students at Blanchelande School are now the only in the island not to receive sex education advice from the States of Guernsey's preferred service.

    Concerns by teachers and parents have been raised that Blanchelande changed its sex education policy in June 2017 with a move away from teaching pupils about safe sex and the use of contraception.

    The new policy, which is available on the school's website, was revised by the principal, Robert O'Brien, and makes no mention of contraception and in several places emphasises the teaching of chastity. Another concern by parents and teachers was religious education was intrinsic to the school's sex education policy.

    When approached by the BBC, Robert O'Brien, the Parent, Teacher and Friends Association (PTFA) and the board of governors all declined to be interviewed. However in a statement Mr O'Brien said that Blanchelande College will continue to work with local GPs, nurses and other professionals to provide the very best and broadest relationships and sex education.

    The States' Sexual Health and Relationship Education service confirmed Blanchelande stopped using its services back in 2017 - after 18 years.

  4. Today's weather: Jersey

    BBC Weather

    There's a small possibility of some rain later this morning, but it's generally dry all day - but not quite as hot as yesterday.

    Weather chart

  5. Today's weather: Guernsey

    BBC Weather

    After the glorious Bank Holiday weekend weather, it's not looking quite as sunny today - but only a small chance of rain.

    Weather chart