Diwali gifts spark row

Cllr Harker, who represents Chesham Bois and Weedon Hill, described the event as 'a really really heart-warming festival in the Hindu culture'. She said: "As you enjoy your chocolates please think of all the sweet things in your life and enjoy them."
But Cllr John Wertheim refused to accept the gift. He said: "As a councillor I find it extremely difficult to accept any presents from anybody. I accept the goodwill and the way it has been presented. It is the festival of light, Christians have a festival at Christmas, the Jews have Hanukkah and the Muslims have Eid. If we have presents for each of these celebrations I would suggest we are going over the top."
Cllr Wertheim, who is a member of the council's planning committee added: "I regret I cannot accept these presents for the reasons I have mentioned. If the Hindus came along and said 'I want to put a worship centre here' I think it can influence your judgement."
He suggested donations should instead be given to the chairman's chosen charity, which this year is St John Ambulance.
However the gifts were praised by Cllr Vera Head. She said: "I think this is a wonderful idea. We live in a multicultural area and I think it's time we started to acknowledge in the council that the community does not comprise of one religion."