(London, April 25, 2023): A new group of UK citizens whose ancestors profited from British enslavement in Guyana and other British colonies and the industries that depended on it, on Monday launched a new entity promising new possibilities for reparations and atonement for Guyana and other Caribbean nations that experienced slavery.

Descendants of some of the most prominent names in the history of British slavery, they officially launched “Heirs of Slavery” and called on the British government to begin long-requested talks on reconciliation and reparative justice for descendants of the 3.1 million enslaved African people transported across the Atlantic by Britain.

Authors, journalists, businesspeople and a direct descendant of the Victorian Prime Minister, William Gladstone are among the members of a new group set up to support campaigns to address “the ongoing consequences of this crime against humanity.”

“British slavery was legal, industrialised and based entirely on race,” said Alex Renton, one member of the group.

He continued: “Britain has never apologised for it, and its after effects still harm people’s lives in Britain as well as in the Caribbean countries where our ancestors made money.”

The group also includes David Lascelles (the Earl of Harewood), retired social worker Rosemary Harrison, businessman Charles Gladstone, the former BBC correspondent Laura Trevelyan, author and publisher Richard Atkinson, retired schoolteacher Robin Wedderburn, film director John Dower and journalist Alex Renton (son of a former Conservative cabinet minister).

Members of the group have publicly acknowledged that their “ancestors’ wealth was, in part, derived from plantations worked by enslaved Africans, and for whom the slave-owners received compensation at British slavery’s abolition in the 1830s.”

Harrison’s ancestor was a slave-owner and Attorney General in Jamaica in the late 18th century.

“We encourage the hundreds of thousands of people in Britain with similar family histories to explore and acknowledge them.
“Until the painful legacy of slavery is recognised by the descendants of those who profited from it, there can never be healing,” Richard Atkinson said.

“I joined this group in an attempt to begin to address the appalling ills visited on so many people by my ancestor John Gladstone,” said Charles Gladstone, whose family also owned slave plantations in Guyana and opened the way for Indentureship of Indian labourers to replace freed slaves after Abolition.

The group and their families have all made private donations to tackle poverty, poor education and other issues affecting the descendants of the enslaved in Britain and Caribbean countries.
“This group wants to move beyond personal donations, which can never be enough,” said Rosemary Harrison.

‘‘We wish to offer our energy and support to the existing movements, led by CARICOM and others, that are seeking reparative justice from the European nations and the institutions that were enriched by the industries dependent on enslaved African people.”

Caribbean Community (CARICOM) countries whose people endured slavery and its aftermath are now calling for the former colonial powers to invest in their health and education systems, and many are also pushing for debt cancellation.

Meanwhile, the group is in conversation with other British citizens descended from the enslaved of the Caribbean countries, and who experience racism, poverty and inequality that derives from it.
“I would like to listen and learn from the descendants of the enslaved to find out what would best help them in their lives today.

“Please tell us how apology and repair, led by the British nation, should work,” Robin Wedderburn said.
“Those of us in this group share a dark history, one that we are endeavouring to be open about in the hope of encouraging dialogue, friendship and reconciliation between all the people whose lives have been affected.
“We urge other people with a similar history, both individuals and institutions, to join us in speaking out,” David Lascelles said.

Laura Trevelyan related: “After so long, the reparatory justice movement is gaining momentum in Europe. Whether it’s the Dutch government, the Church of England, or the British Royal Family, the enduring and painful legacy of slavery is finally starting to be acknowledged by those who benefited from it.”

Heirs of Slavery’s launch follows last year’s launch of a private Caribbean reparations repair initiative by Digicel’s Chairman Denis O’Brien, also aimed at cross-Atlantic cooperation in spreading the reparations message across the UK and the Caribbean.

Both entities have been reaching out to the CARICOM Reparations Commission (CRC) and are united in inviting UK families to join their lead, and seek and find ways and means of apology and atonement, for reparations for slavery.

Heirs of Slavery members say they have been receiving positive responses and inquiries from other families in the UK and the CARICOM region, who have also indicated willingness to follow suit and make amends in the CARICOM nations where their ancestors benefitted and grew rich from slavery.

The group has followed the lead of the Trevelyan family, which owned several estates and one thousand slaves in Grenada, where Laura Trevelyan made a personal donation of one thousand pounds (sterling) – proceeds from her retirement at the BBC, where she was a presenter for 30 years.

The ex-BBC presenter and members of her family travelled to Grenada in on February 27, where seven members signed a formal apology— also previously signed by over 100 members—and Laura’s US$100,000 was used to establish a family fund that she and other members also pledged to continue to contribute to.

The Trevelyan family’s formal apology and atonement were delivered to and accepted by the Government of Grenada through Prime Minister Dickon Mitchell, who attended the ceremony and accepted on behalf of Cabinet members present and the government and people of Grenada.

“Heirs of Slavery” have their eyes on similar private initiatives and have also pledged to work with other families and like entities, in the UK and the Caribbean, to fulfil their quest to apologise and atone for their ancestors. (A Guyana Chronicle exclusive)