Satan is behind efforts to scrap Sunday trading laws, a Guernsey minister has claimed.

Mr Chapman, from La Villiaze Evangelical Church, has written to all deputies objecting to Deputy Mike Hadley’s requête seeking the postponement of Sunday trading laws for a twelve-month trial.

The minister, who did not wish to give his first name, said one day of rest was required ‘under the authority of God’ and that ignoring this would lead to ‘an increase in the island’s problems and most surely incur God’s further wrath and condemnation’.

‘For these basic reasons we believe that the present situation on the island is already in contravention of the work of God and that any further erosion of godly laws will only increase the wrath of God against us,’ the letter said.

‘Satan is without a doubt behind these efforts to further do away with any semblance of Christian righteousness and we must stand and oppose it.’

Deputy Hadley yesterday denied that he was a servant of Satan.

“Deputy Hadley yesterday denied that he was a servant of Satan”