Watch: Douglas Murray eviscerates the case for historical apologies

As America celebrated 4th July yesterday, it appears not everyone over the pond was keen to celebrate the country’s Independence Day. Picking up on the news that some Black Americans choose to mark Juneteenth (held on 19 June to celebrate the end of slavery) instead, panellists on Piers Morgan’s TalkTV show turned to debate.

The Spectator’s very own Douglas Murray made an appearance, and was firm in shooting down the case for making historical apologies for the slave trade. Responding to Paula Rhone-Adrien who suggested there was value in present day leaders apologising for the painful legacy of slavery, Murray responded: ‘Well, it’s a kind of grievance competition. Your guest earlier just tried to engage in it. I don’t know what hurt she believes she’s had from slavery. All of this was addressed two centuries ago. Everything has consequences. All history has consequences and ramifications.’

On the topic of reparations, Murray said: ‘If we were to play this fairly, we would at least look at all of the countries around the world that engaged in the slave trade, who are simply not interested in any form of reparations.’