Eton head says sorry for racist bullying of former pupil
THE headmaster of Eton College has apologised to a black former pupil for the racism he suffered during his studies in the 1960s.
Simon Henderson said he was “appalled” by the bullying and taunting endured by ex-student Dillibe Onyeama during his four years at the elite school.
Mr Onyeama, now a writer, told the BBC he was tormented daily at the exclusive fee-paying college in Berkshire.
In a book he wrote after leaving in 1969 he told how other students asked him why he was black and if he had maggots in his hair. When he did well he was accused of cheating and when he did badly it was put down to him being Nigerian.
And three years after he left he was sent a letter from Eton telling him he was banned from ever visiting again.
Current head Mr Henderson said “significant strides” had been made since Mr Onyeama was at Eton.
But he added: “Racism has no place in civilised society, then or now.As millions of people around the world rightly raise their voices in protest against racial discrimination and inequality, we have to have the institutional and personal humility to acknowledge that we still have more to do.
“I am determined that we seize this moment as a catalyst for real change for the better.”
Mr Henderson invited Mr Onyeama to meet so he could apologise in person and on behalf of the school, which charges up to £40,000 a year.
Five prime ministers, including Boris Johnson, went there.