The peri-peri Prince
THE Duke of Cambridge has revealed he is a fan of chicken restaurant Nando’s – after being introduced by one of his protection officers. William, left, admitted to liking the peri peri poultry served by the chain. THE Prime Minister has spoken of her “regret” at Britain’s role in creating laws criminalising same-sex relationships while a colonial power, saying “they were wrong then and they are wrong now”.
Theresa May told the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in London the UK would support member states which sought to reform “outdated” legislation affecting the relationships, or failed to protect women and girls.
Mrs May told the Chogm event at the Queen Elizabeth II Centre in Westminster: “I am all too aware that these laws were often put in place by my own country. They were wrong then and they are wrong now.
“As the United Kingdom’s Prime Minister I deeply regret both the fact that such laws were introduced and the legacy of discrimination, violence and death that persists today.
“As a family of nations we must respect one another’s cultures and traditions but we must do so in a manner consistent with our common value of equality – a value that is clearly stated in the Commonwealth Charter.
“Nobody should face discrimination or persecution because of who they are or who they love and the UK stands ready to help any Commonwealth member wanting to reform outdated legislation that makes such discrimination possible.”
Mrs May’s speech was greeted by applause from the audience of delegates and supported by others not attending.
Veteran rights campaigner Peter Tatchell said it was a “positive and welcome move” but said it should have been made to Commonwealth leaders rather than at an event attended by NGO delegates. But he added: “This statement of regret cannot be easily dismissed and disparaged by Commonwealth heads of government.
“It acknowledges the wrongful imposition of anti-LGBT legislation by the UK, shows humility and helpfully highlights that current homophobic laws in the Commonwealth are mostly not indigenous national laws.
“The Prime Minister’s regret for Britain’s imposition of anti-gay laws valuably reframes the LGBT issue in a way that it is likely to provoke less hostility in Commonwealth countries.”
Meanwhile the Prime Minister also apologised to Caribbean leaders over the treatment of members of the so-called “Windrush generation” who have been threatened with deportation after decades living in the UK.
At talks in No 10, the Prime Minister said she was “genuinely sorry” for the anxiety that had been caused and that she wanted to dispel the idea that the Government was seeking to clamp down on citizens from the region.
Following a tightening of the immigration rules, people who came to the UK in the decades following the Second World War – often as schoolchildren – have been threatened with removal unless they can prove they are entitled to stay.