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Sir Lenny Henry has called on taxpayers to hand over £18trillion in compensatory payments to black British people
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Sir Lenny Henry has called for all black British people to receive slavery reparations at the taxpayer's expense.
The comedian has co-written a book, entitled The Big Payback, which urges the UK to pay £18trillion in compensation - not only to Caribbean nations, but also to British citizens.
In an excerpt from the book, Sir Lenny wrote that "all black British people... need reparations for slavery", adding: "We personally deserve money for the effects of slavery."
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The book, co-authored by TV executive and diversity charity boss Marcus Ryder, explains the arguments and historical precedent for the handouts.
The majority of Britain's 2.4 million-strong black population is of direct African descent, rather than being descendants of slaves in the Caribbean.
Though this is not directly referenced in the book, it is argued that all black people suffer the effects of modern racism, which was brought about by the slave trade.
Not everyone agrees with this assessment. In his latest column, Rakib Ehsan points out that following the money is not as straightforward as the argument suggests.
"The role of powerful and wealthy African kingdoms in selling slaves to European merchants should not be overlooked," he wrote.
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