PRESIDENT Dr Irfaan Ali has declared that Guyana is not looking for a palace from the British, but justice, and the descendants of European slave traders should offer reparations to address historical wrongs.

On Wednesday, President Ali appeared on the ‘Good Morning Britain’ show, hours before he addressed world leaders at the UN General Assembly in New York. During the interview, he stated his belief that the UK needs to realise it “still benefits” from its historical role in slavery.

“You should be concerned, and you should pay because you, today, still benefit from the greatest indignity to the human being, and that is the slave trade. And not only did you benefit during the slave trade, and your country develop, but look at what it cost the developing world,” the President said.

He pointed out that during slavery, resources were used to build Britain, which led the country to become competitive, able to invest in mechanisation and developing countries like Guyana were left behind.

“So, you should be very concerned, because you are prime beneficiaries of exploits of slavery,” the President said.

The British presenter, Richard Madeley, inquired if the Royal Family should pay reparations or make a gesture, such as handing over a palace, but the president said no.

President Ali replied and said, “We don’t want the British to hand over a palace that we built.”

The president continued: “If you go to many of the palaces in Britain, you’ll see the lovely hard work from Guyana. You will see the sweat, tears and blood of the slaves who were exploited, and the revenue that was earned from the exploitation. So, we’re not asking for a palace; we’re asking for justice.”

Last month, heirs of the late British slave owner John Gladstone- the father of 19th century Prime Minister William Gladstone- issued an official apology to Guyana for the historical injustices of both slavery and indentureship.

Charles Gladstone, representing the family, expressed deep shame and regret for their ancestors’ role in these crimes during the launch of the Centre of Migration and Diaspora Studies at the University of Guyana.

“It is with deep shame and regret that we acknowledge our ancestors’ involvement in this crime. With heartfelt sincerity we apologise to the descendants of the enslaved in Guyana,” Gladstone stated.

Noting that slavery was a crime against humanity, Charles said that his family has pledged to improve Guyana and forge meaningful relationships with the nation

John Gladstone owned 2,500 enslaved Africans on his plantations