David Starkey has argued that movements such as critical race theory and Black Lives Matter are «not what they say they are». Photo: Clara Malden for The Telegraph
David Starkey faced backlash after saying left-wing activists want to «replace» the Holocaust with slavery.
Downing Street distanced itself from comments made by the historian in a speech on the last day. National Conference on Conservatism, which also featured members of Rishi Sunak's leadership team.
Dr. Starkey argued that movements, including critical race theory and the Black Lives Matter campaign, rose to worldwide prominence after the death of George Floyd, «not that who they say they are.”
“The idea that they are here to protect black lives is a ridiculous idea, they don’t care about black lives, they only care about the symbolic destruction of white culture,” he told delegates.
«That means we have to come up with a counter-narrative.»
“Jealousy is at the core,”
Dr. Starkey added: “The solution is to replace the Holocaust with slavery. In other words, this is why the Jews are being attacked so much by the left, mainly because of jealousy.
«There is envy of the moral superiority of the Holocaust and a determination to replace it with slavery.»
Dr. Starkey stated that the purpose of Black Lives Matter was «to do exactly what was done to Germany.» cultures due to Nazism and the Holocaust» and represent «an attempt to destroy all legitimacy of the Western political and cultural tradition.»
Downing Street said Mr Sunak did not agree with the content of Dr Starkey's speech at the conference, at which cabinet ministers Suela Braverman and Michael Gove spoke on Monday and Tuesday respectively.
«He does not agree with these comments. but … as far as the presence of ministers is concerned, that is their business,” said Representative No. 10.
Dr. Starkey's remarks on the Holocaust were originally posted on the official Twitter account of the National Conference of Conservatism. However, the post was hastily removed amid growing anger from the Jewish community.
Daniel Sugarman, director of public relations for the Board of Deputies of British Jews, accused the historian of seeking to «drive a wedge between communities.»
He tweeted:
The organization I work for, @BoardofDeputies, is supporting the construction of the Westminster Holocaust Memorial AND a permanent memorial to the victims of transatlantic slavery.
If this quote is true, such pathetic attempts to drive a wedge between communities will not work. pic.twitter.com/j2HoNrHeWL
– Daniel Sugarman (@Daniel_Sugarman) May 17, 2023
Mr. Sugarman also called Dr. Starkey's views «unhistorical,» adding: «It was supposedly 'cultured' people from a 'cultured' nation who carried out [the Holocaust].
Angela Reiner, Deputy Labor Leader, called the conference a «carnival of conspiracies» during the prime minister's questions.
Christian Wakeford, MP for Bury South, home to a large Jewish community, denounced «deplorable and anti-Semitic» rhetoric.
Earlier this month, Dr. Starkey provoked a separate racist scandal after after stating that Mr. Sunak is “not fully familiar with our culture.”
This has led to him being accused of derogatory references to his Hindu faith and British-Indian heritage.
In an interview with GB News, he insisted that his remarks were «deliberately misinterpreted» and that he «never, ever said anything racist in his life.»
Dr. Starkey was contacted about additional comment.
Свежие комментарии