News about Patrick Robinson

STEPHEN GLOVER: Could Britain be impoverished for a generation as a result of claims made against this country for slavery reparations? It sounds far-fetched. But at the top end of ­preposterous demands for reparations is the figure of £19 trillion, which equates to existing Government ­spending over 15 years. Even this incredible amount was described last year by a United Nations judge called Patrick Robinson as 'an underestimation' of the damage caused by the slave trade. A less daunting, though still gigantic, figure for ­reparations is £200 billion. This is what a group of 15 Caribbean countries will demand at the Commonwealth Summit starting in Samoa one week today, which will be attended by the King, the Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The formidable ringleader of these former British colonies is the socialist Prime Minister of Barbados, Mia Mottley (left). It was she who in 2021 got rid of Queen Elizabeth as her country's head of state without bothering to call a referendum. She has also fostered closer relations between Barbados and China .

The UK was once 'the leading slaving nation in the world' and present day descendants of slaves deserve compensation, the Dean of Trinity College Cambridge Dr Michael Banner claimed. In a new book, titled Britain's Slavery Debt, the theologian said he calculated that Britain owes £205billion, The Telegraph reported. He based the figure on the compensation claims made by slave owners when the trade was first abolished in 1833. Despite the UK government rejecting the case for reparations, Dr Banner has urged the Scottish Government to 'show leadership' on the issue and start paying back its share of £20.5billion.

The BBC are giving an acclaimed drama its second series after two years off screens following rave reviews. The Scottish murder mystery was a BBC iPlayer favourite at its debut in 2022, racking up more than seven million streams on its three, hour-long episodes. Series two is being launched at 10pm on Thursday, May 2 on BBC Scotland, and the following day on BBC One. Alternatively, all three episodes will be available to binge on BBC iPlayer from the second it is released.

The Caribbean island, which is ruled by anti-royalist Prime Minister Andrew Holness, is said to be seeking support from the UK government and major museums to support colonialism exhibits. Jamaica, which was under British rule until 1962, may request reparation payments of about half a million pounds for the centuries of slave slavery. According to The Telegraph, the funds will go to save ports, hospitals, and courthouses that are linked to imperialism. Edmund Bartlett, Jamaica's tourism minister, had planned to protect Georgian sites such as the former slave owners' homes for 'dark tourism,' according to the newspaper. We are interested in what is described as 'dark tourism,' he said. 'The built heritage is particularly significant because it tells a tale in stone and sticks and mortar.'

The Royal Infirmary of Edinburgh (pictured) of the United Kingdom profitted from the removal of a Caribbean plantation in the 18th century. Now health chiefs will implement steps that include a public apology, commissioning works, and informing employees about the connection. The NHS Lothian Charity is assisting the project, but it will not require direct financial contributions made as part of the reparations. However, there are budget issues, given that the NHS is already stretched beyond capacity.

Patrick Robinson, a member of the International Criminal Court, said that governments behind the centuries of terror had been 'obliged to pay,' and accused politicians like Rishi Sunak of burying their heads in the sand. He cited an academic study in June that revealed that 31 former slaveholding states, which also include the United States and Spain, owe $100 trillion. The astonishing sum has sparked questions about the maths involved and where those behind the call for compensation expect the money to come from. Jacob Rees-Mogg, the Tory former prime minister, said, 'It is clearly ridiculous.' We owe nothing and civilized the world by ending the slave trade.'

ROLAND WHITE: It was a far, much better thing that Detective Inspector Jimmy Perez did last night than he had ever done before. After freeing a murder suspect wanted in the United States, who pleaded innocent, the hero of Shetland (BBC1) resigned on a principle. And criminal Lloyd Anderson, played by Patrick Robinson, looked remarkably grateful considering that Perez had just arrested his lover for murder. Perez (Douglas Henshall) prevented a bomb attack by an eco-terrorist, wrapped up three murders, and then expressed his admiration for adorable Nurse Meg (Lucianne McEvoy). It's about time, too. Jamie Na'Rourke, the main killer - accounting for two of the bodies - had a grudge against the oil industry following the death of his activist wife's activist mother.