A staunch advocate for reparations sharply criticized the King for allegedly ‘treading on a crime scene’ during his recent Caribbean journey.crimeThe remark came as the monarch’s visit coincided with growing indications of a shift in stance regarding a formal apology for slavery.Andy BurnhamLawyer Bert Samuels, who serves as Deputy Chair of Jamaica’s National Reparations Committee, emphasized that the King should not anticipate enthusiastic receptions or displays of celebration across the Caribbean, given the region’s ongoing grief over its historical trauma.
Although the Prime Minister hinted yesterday—marking a departure from past positions—that a public apology might be possible, Mr Samuels argued there is no true ‘common wealth’ among Commonwealth nations, insisting that only monetary compensation would meet the demands of justice.
In a recent interview, when questioned about the King’s tour and the upcoming Commonwealth leaders’ summit, he stated: ‘He must recognize that stepping onto Caribbean soil means entering a crime scene. At this Commonwealth gathering, there is no common wealth—only shared destitution. These are the realities we seek to address.’
‘A mere “we regret what happened” falls far short of what is needed.’BBCIn the interview, he stated: ‘One must reflect on the fact that whenever he sets foot on the soil of the Caribbean, he is treading upon a crime scene. Therefore, at this Commonwealth gathering, there is no common wealth—no shared prosperity among us. Instead, we face abject poverty, and these are the issues we urgently seek to address.’
A mere “we regret what happened” doesn’t cut it.King CharlesIt’s impossible to enter the Caribbean and expect to be welcomed by children waving flags along the roads.
Mr Samuels, who played a key role in Jamaica’s historic petition submitted to the King in September demanding reparations for the enslavement of Africans on the island, spoke on Radio 4’s Today programme:
‘There’s nothing worth celebrating. We have much to grieve over the damage inflicted upon our nation and our people.’
The vocal Jamaican activist has long campaigned for reparations from slavery and previously directed attention toward the King in May, sharing an image of him in ceremonial attire during the state opening of Parliament on social media, accompanied by the caption: ‘How many of those jewels in His Crown were taken from Our People?’
A delegation from Jamaica traveled to the UK on September 7 to formally present the petition to the King, urging him to deliver justice for the island.
The petition has now been forwarded to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for review.
Jamaica’s Culture Minister Olivia Grange stated the petition aimed to elevate Jamaica’s reparations claim against Britain ‘to a new stage’.
At that time, she emphasized that the appeal was addressed to the King ‘in his role as Head of State of Jamaica and someone we expect to safeguard us,’ and noted it had the backing of the wider Caribbean community.
“It’s truly a monumental moment, and the entire world is paying attention,” she stated. “What we’re accomplishing is historic, without precedent, and a significant leap forward in the reparatory justice movement. The momentum is shifting. We’re making tangible progress.”
However, critics include former Supreme Court judge Lord Jonathan Sumption, who argues that ‘Jamaica is exploiting a Britain weakened by self-doubt and guilt’ and ‘no longer secure in its identity’ to demand a substantial financial settlement.
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