Deputy chief sorry for Obama joke

The Deputy Chief Minister said he 'intended no offence whatsoever'

Guernsey's Deputy Chief Minister has apologised after making a racist joke in front of journalists about US President-elect Barack Obama.

Deputy Bernard Flouquet was briefing them on a report and made a joke about jam jars and the US wanting permission to use the Queen's head on US stamps.

Mr Flouquet has since made an "unequivocal apology" and said he had "intended no offence whatsoever".

"I have the utmost respect for President-elect Obama," he added.

After telling the joke he told reporters: "Now you may think that's not right to say but I thought it was a very humorous joke quite honestly."

However, when one deputy spoke up and said: "It's not very PC."

He replied: "It's not very PC, but it's still a joke, nevertheless."