Kemi Badenoch would likely be ‘deeply sceptical’ of dropping ’empire’ from British honours
The new leader of the Conservative Party Kemi Badenoch would likely be “deeply sceptical” of dropping the word “empire” from British honours, the shadow culture secretary has said.
Royal officials are considering offering those recognised with an OBE (Order of the British Empire), the option to receive an Order of British Excellence instead, the Mail on Sunday reports.
Another option, the Order of Elizabeth, has also been proposed, according to the paper.
A change would have to be decided on by the government.
Conservative shadow culture secretary Julia Lopez asked what the newly elected Conservative leader Ms Badenoch would think about the plan, said she thinks she would be against it.
Kemi Badenoch was elected leader of the Conservative Party on Saturday. Pic: PA
Ms Lopez told Sky News’ Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips programme: “My gut feeling is that she would be deeply sceptical towards that.
“Because there’s an implication that the empire is something that is a source of shame.
“And I don’t think that she’s ever thought that it is.”
Keir Starmer with Samoan Prime Minister Afioga Fiame Naomi Mata’afa (centre) during the Commonwealth meeting. Pic: PA
A senior palace official is quoted in an updated biography of the King by Robert Hardman as saying the palace would be “pretty open to the idea”.
The British Empire’s legacy came again to the forefront during last month’s Commonwealth leaders’ meeting in Samoa where Sir Keir Starmer faced mounting pressure from Caribbean nations who want the UK to pay reparations for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
They also want a formal apology from the countries responsible, however the British prime minister ruled that out.
He said there was only “one paragraph in 20-something paragraphs, noting the call for discussion, agreeing a time for conversations” in the final communique agreed for the end of the meeting.
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‘It’s about UK’s relationship with Commonwealth countries’
Reparations are usually defined as payments made by a country for damage or losses caused to other nations or their people.
There are various estimates for what the UK would owe, but last year a report co-authored by a United Nations judge concluded the UK owed more than £18trn to 14 countries.
During a speech by the King last month, he hinted at the issue, saying how he understood “the most painful aspects of our past resonate, it is vital we understand our history to guide us to make the right choices in our future”.
With no direct mention of “slavery” or “reparations”, he added: “None of us can change the wrongs of the past but we can commit, with all our hearts, to learning its lessons and to finding creative ways to right inequalities that endure.”
A man who died after being hit by a bus in Edinburgh has been named.
Michael Leneghen, 74, died after being struck at around 7.25pm on Saturday 2 November in the Cowgate area of the city.
On the day of the incident, police issued a warning for members of the public not to share distressing images and videos circulating online.
In a statement, Mr Leneghen’s family thanked members of the public and emergency services who were involved and asked for privacy.
A single-decker bus collided with Mr Leneghen, who was on foot, Police Scotland say.
Sergeant Paul Ewing of Edinburgh‘s road policing unit said the force’s thoughts were with Mr Leneghen’s family and friends “as well as everyone affected by this tragic incident”.
“Our enquiries remain ongoing. We have already spoken to a number of people who were in the area at the time and work is ongoing to check public and private CCTV footage,” he added.
“We are still keen to hear from anyone who has not yet spoken to police.”
Chief Inspector Trisha Clark, the local area commander, previously said police were “aware of videos and images circulating on social media which are causing distress to the deceased’s family”.
“We would ask members of the public not to share them out of respect for his family, and to report them to the relevant social media platform to prevent further circulation,” she added.
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Ms Clark added that while there had been a lot of speculation, it was an “isolated incident” and there was “no risk to the wider public”.
Officers have asked anyone with information which could help the police investigation to get in touch.
MP Mike Amesbury has been charged with common assault following an incident in Frodsham, Cheshire, last month.
The charge comes after a video emerged of him appearing to punch a man to the ground.
Cheshire Police said the 55-year-old will appear at a magistrates court at a later date to face the assault charge.
In a statement, police said the charge “relates to reports of an assault on a 45-year-old man on Main Street, Frodsham, which was reported to police at 2.48am on Saturday 26 October”.
Rosemary Ainslie, head of the Crown Prosecution Service’s special crime division, said: “Following a review of the evidence provided by Cheshire Police, we have authorised a charge of common assault against Mike Amesbury MP, 55.
“The charge follows an alleged assault in Frodsham, Cheshire, on Saturday, 26 October 2024.
“The Crown Prosecution Service reminds all concerned that criminal proceedings against the defendant are active and that he has the right to a fair trial.”
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In a statement, Mr Amesbury said: “I have today been summonsed to court to face a charge of common assault following an incident in Frodsham last month, which was deeply regrettable.
“I am continuing to cooperate with police and given this is an ongoing case I cannot comment further.”
Labour suspended Mr Amesbury from the party so he is now an independent MP for Runcorn and Helsby.
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