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David Starke making a speech in Brighton. PA Images

Historian David Starkey faces backlash over ‘so many damn blacks’ comment about slavery

Starkey described the British Empire as “the important moment in human history”.

UK HISTORIAN DAVID Starkey is facing a backlash after he said slavery was not genocide because there are “so many damn blacks” still around.

The historian made the comments during an online interview with Brexit campaigner Darren Grimes for YouTube channel Reasoned UK.

Former Chancellor Sajid Javid has criticised him over his remarks.

Mr Javid said: “We are the most successful multi-racial democracy in the world and have much to be proud of.

“But David Starkey’s racist comments (‘so many damn blacks’) are a reminder of the appalling views that still exist.”

Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University said they would be considering Starkey’s position as an honorary fellow as a result of his comments.

In a statement, the college said they will “not tolerate racism”, adding that his comments are “indefensible”.

Starkey has also resigned from the board of the Mary Rose Trust, which oversees the Tudor Mary Rose ship, according to the organisation.

The trust said in a statement that they were “appalled” by his comments, adding: “Mary Rose Trust is a charity that exists for the benefit of everyone and we have zero tolerance for such comments.”

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust’s chief executive Olivia Marks-Woldman also criticised his comments.

She said: “To suggest a genocide did not take place because some of those who were persecuted survived is dangerous, damaging and completely reprehensible.

His words are abhorrent and as a historian with a considerable platform and following, David Starkey’s irresponsible and racist views should be widely condemned.

During the interview, Starkey said:” Slavery was not genocide otherwise there wouldn’t be so many damn blacks in Africa or in Britain, would there?

“An awful lot of them survived and again there’s no point in arguing against globalisation or western civilisation. They are all products of it, we are all products of it.

The honest teaching of the British Empire is to say quite simply, it is the first key stage of our globalisation. It is probably the most important moment in human history and it is still with us.

Grimes later released a statement about his interview, saying he “wasn’t engaged enough” in the conversation.

Tweet by @Darren Grimes Darren Grimes / Twitter Darren Grimes / Twitter / Twitter

He added: “It goes without saying that Reasoned UK does not support or condone Dr David Starkey’s words.

“I am very new to being the interviewer rather than the interviewee and I should have robustly questioned Dr Starkey about his comments.

“However, whether it’s on the BBC, ITV, Sky News or on YouTube, no interviewer is responsible for the views expressed by their guests.”

Starkey has been contacted for comment.

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    Mute chris
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    Aug 7th 2014, 8:49 AM

    They should be hung drawn and quartered for making me use that pesky messenger app!

    88
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    Mute Alan McNamara
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:07 AM

    Did you read the terms for having that messenger app.

    http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4365645

    50
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    Mute Niall Mullins
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:10 AM

    Aw, you ok hun?

    19
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    Mute Colin Howell
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:15 AM

    @Alan, after checking out your link I feel great having always declined facebook’s incessant offer of the messenger app. That is some scary schizz. I certainly would have blindly accepted the terms and conditions

    39
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    Mute chris
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:38 AM

    Thx for posting that
    How is it even legal what they are
    Doing..deleted.

    27
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    Mute Alan McNamara
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:52 AM

    The way I see it, if people want me they can text me or call and I can pick up my Facebook message on the laptop

    15
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    Mute Richard Sweeney
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:07 AM

    If you read t+c’s of the journal the app can view and delete contents on your sd card. Why?

    28
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    Mute Ciara McCorley
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:11 AM

    Thanks for that link Alan, have just deleted it from my phone!

    6
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    Mute Denis
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:03 AM

    After looking at Alans’s link I thought what a load of old nonsense.
    The author is clearly pretty clueless about app permissions on android.
    Why don’t you check the permissions of any other messaging app you have on android, they all have pretty much the same.
    This is just the standard android permissions written to be as scary as possible.
    Check out google hangouts now standard on android, not only does it have all these permissions but it can access your location at any time and read and edit your calendar at any time Gasp!
    Just more ant-facebook ain’t I cool hipster nonsense.

    7
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    Mute DamoDeMan
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:17 AM

    If you are worried about Facebook and your privacy
    Do not be on Facebook
    sticking your ass in the air
    like you just don’t care

    47
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    Mute Negativebird
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:08 AM

    You fine sir,deserve a medal

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    Mute bob®
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    Aug 7th 2014, 8:47 AM

    Like

    32
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    Mute Pinel G
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:32 AM

    Facebook is worth about $200 billion all thanks to the data you give them. they profit from data on users.

    17
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    Mute Foxtrot Hotel
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:00 AM

    Are people “liking” this as a joke?

    9
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    Mute duisigheire
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:20 AM

    watch “terms and conditions apply” on Netflix. It will open your eyes.

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    Mute Paudi Onail
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    Aug 7th 2014, 2:14 PM

    seen it, recommend everyone sees it, though it confirmed what i’ve always known. planned obsolescence docu is another interesting one.

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    Mute Jamie Condren
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    Aug 7th 2014, 10:30 AM

    In those T&Cs posted by the Huffington post, what is meant by a malicious app may do this without your permission? Is it talking about the messenger app or what?

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    Mute Denis
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:20 AM

    No it’s not talking about the facebook app.
    They are standard permissions that any app can ask for.
    If you install some dodgy app from somewhere and it asks for those permissions it can do dodgy things and record audio and video all the time.
    The facebook app asks to record audio and take pictures so it can support its voice message and picture and video sending abilities.

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    Mute duisigheire
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:27 AM

    Also, android users check this out….. Open google (assuming your signed in) click account > account history > places you’ve been.

    You can select each date and it will show you exactly where you were etc. Why….? well each time you enable location for maps apps etc…. in the settings menu > Location > On… you will see the message below flash up. Agree or disagree….. always disagree.

    Location Consent !
    Allow googles location service to collect anonymous location data. Some data may be stored on your device. Collection may occur even when no apps are running.

    4
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    Mute Luke
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    Aug 7th 2014, 11:04 AM

    these people are delusional if they think they’re gonna get any $ of that sociopath Zuckerberg

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    Mute J. Dunn
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    Aug 7th 2014, 9:13 AM

    You’d think Facebook would have registered fbclaim.com along with 20,000 intelligible variations for just such an occasion.

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