Johnson attacks slavery reparations campaign in new column

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 13 Nov, 16:02 · Archive

Boris Johnson has criticised calls for UK slavery reparations, claiming he himself is descended from slaves.

Boris Johnson has written in the Daily Mail that he is descended from slaves and has questioned whether he should be in line for any reparations as a result. He used the column to criticise calls for the UK to pay financial reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, which campaigners suggest could amount to hundreds of millions of pounds. The remarks come after the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where Commonwealth leaders agreed to 'structured, time-bound, inclusive and good-faith' talks to address the 'historical harms' of the transatlantic slave trade.

Johnson, the former Prime Minister and ex-MP for Henley who lives near Wallingford, dismissed the reparations campaign as 'a cause that is not just morally wrong, but insane'. The issue has been reignited by the meeting and King Charles' visit to the Caribbean. Prime Minister Andy Burnham described the summit as 'successful', but Johnson was among those critical of the agreement to enter talks on the matter.

Johnson attacks slavery reparations campaign in new column — Image: Oxford Mail

Comments (0)

How it is being reported

Boris Johnson's emotional update as his village pub taken over by familiar faceFormer Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued an emotional update on his ancestry as his local village pub is being taken over by a familiar face.Oxford Mail · 13 Nov, 15:30
Boris Johnson's emotional update as his village pub taken over by familiar faceFormer Prime Minister Boris Johnson has issued an emotional update on his ancestry as his local village pub is being taken over by a familiar face.Oxfordshire Guardian · 13 Nov, 15:30

In this story: Boris Johnson · Andy Burnham · King Charles · Commonwealth · Henley · Wallingford

This summary was written by AI from the headlines and standfirsts above, and states as fact only what at least two outlets report. How we use AI · Report a problem · Corrections log