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.
Read more:
Combative past of new Tory leader
Labour MP: Not apologising for slave trade shows ‘lack of respect’
King says ‘none of us can change wrongs of past’ in careful speech
Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
‘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.”
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.
Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.
The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Officers guard one of the crime scenes
Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.
Please refresh the page for the fullest version.
You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.
Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.
The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.
Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.
The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.
Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA
Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.
Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.
As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.
-
Sports3 years ago‘Storybook stuff’: Inside the night Bryce Harper sent the Phillies to the World Series
-
Sports1 year agoStory injured on diving stop, exits Red Sox game
-
Sports1 year agoGame 1 of WS least-watched in recorded history
-
Sports2 years agoMLB Rank 2023: Ranking baseball’s top 100 players
-
Sports4 years ago
Team Europe easily wins 4th straight Laver Cup
-
Environment2 years agoJapan and South Korea have a lot at stake in a free and open South China Sea
-
Environment2 years agoGame-changing Lectric XPedition launched as affordable electric cargo bike
-
Business3 years agoBank of England’s extraordinary response to government policy is almost unthinkable | Ed Conway