Cambridge University college to consider cutting ties with David Starkey after ‘indefensible’ slavery comments

David Starkey’s future at Cambridge University has been thrown into jeopardy after he claimed “slavery was not genocide” because of the survival of “so many damn blacks”.

The British historian made the comments during an interview with pro-Brexit commentator Darren Grimes, during which he described the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement as “wholly and entirely a product of white colonisation".

Speaking via video link, the 75-year-old argued “the only reason that these young black protestors are here is because of slavery”.

He later added: “Of course slavery was not the equivalent of the Holocaust.

“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.”

His comments were widely condemned on social media, including by former chancellor Sajid Javid, who tweeted that “David Starkey’s racist comments (‘so many damn blacks) are a reminder of the appalling views that still exist.”

Fellow historian and Cambridge professor Nicholas Guyatt urged the university to “cut all ties” with Dr Starkey.

“Can’t speak for my employer but as someone who teaches history at Cambridge I'm ashamed of our connections with David Starkey and urge both the University and Fitzwilliam College to cut all ties with him,” he tweeted.

The 75-year-old is an alumni of the college and was made an Honorary Fellow in 2006.

Fitzwilliam responded by denouncing Dr Starkey’s remarks and saying its governing body would “consider” his fellowship.

The college said in a statement: “We support and promote freedom of speech in our academic community, but we have zero tolerance of racism.

“Dr David Starkey’s recent comments on slavery are indefensible.

“Fitzwilliam was founded upon values of fairness and mutual respect and we are proud of the College’s inclusive and diverse membership.

“The matter of Dr Starkey’s Honorary Fellowship will be considered by the Governing Body at its meeting next Wednesday.”

It is not the first time Dr Starkey has faced accusations of racism.

In 2011, following riots across England, he told BBC Newsnight that a "substantial amount of the chavs have become black."

“The whites have become black," he added. "A particular sort of violent destructive, nihilistic gangster culture has become the fashion.”

The comments sparked a backlash from students who campaigned for the revocation of his fellowship.

At the time the University refused to comment on the remarks, stating that to do so would be “inappropriate”.

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