Starkey dumped by publisher over ‘so many blacks’ rant
And historian loses two university posts
DAVID Starkey has been dropped by his publisher and lost two university positions after claiming slavery was not genocide because there are ‘so many damn blacks’ still around.
The 75-year-old historian had hit out at Black Lives Matter in a video interview, arguing that the only reason protesters are in Britain is ‘because of slavery’.
HarperCollins described his comments as ‘abhorrent’ and said it would not publish further books from him. It will also review his ‘existing backlist’.
Following a backlash over his views, it was revealed yesterday that Dr Starkey – known for his TV documentaries – has resigned from his honorary fellowship at Cambridge University’s Fitzwilliam College. Canterbury Christ
Church University has terminated his role as visiting professor, saying that his comments are ‘completely unacceptable’.
And Lancaster University has launched a review of Dr Starkey’s status as an honorary graduate. He made the remarks during an online interview with Darren Grimes for the Brexit campaigner’s YouTube channel, Reasoned UK.
Dr 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.’
The interview sparked outrage, with former chancellor Sajid Javid, claiming his ‘racist’ comments were a ‘reminder of the appalling views that still exist’. Baroness Morgan, the master of Fitzwilliam College, contacted the historian following his remarks and he has resigned from his position with immediate effect.
The college said in a statement yesterday: ‘The master has accepted Dr David Starkey’s resignation of his honorary fellowship with immediate effect.
‘Fitzwilliam prides itself in leading the way in Cambridge in opening access to higher education for under-represented groups. Our student and academic bodies are diverse and welcoming to all. We do not tolerate racism.
‘Honorary fellows have the same responsibility as all members of our college to uphold our values.’ Professor Rama Thirunamachandran, vice-chancellor of Canterbury Christ Church University, has apologised to staff and students who have been offended and upset by the ‘appalling’ comments.
He said: ‘Widely reported comments by historian David Starkey during a recent online interview are, in our view, completely unacceptable and do not reflect the values of our university and community.
‘We have therefore terminated, with immediate effect, Dr Starkey’s visiting professorship.
‘I would like to say sorry to colleagues and students who will have been offended and upset by such comments of this appalling nature, and in particular in these challenging and difficult times for us all.’
In a statement, HarperCollins UK said: ‘The views expressed by David Starkey in his recent interview are abhorrent and we unreservedly condemn them.
‘Our last book with the author was in 2010, and we will not be publishing further books with him. We are reviewing his existing backlist in light of his comments and views.’
Dr Starkey was signed by HarperCollins in a four-book deal in 2006, publishing titles including Monarchy: Behind the Royal Mask from the Tudors to the Present, and Henry: Virtuous Prince, the first in a planned two-part biography of Henry VIII. It is understood that the other two titles in the deal will no longer be published.
Dr Starkey has been contacted for comment.
‘We do not tolerate racism’