David Starkey in new British 'mono-culture' row

Tuesday, 15 November 2011 11:01 AM

By Tony Hudson

Historian David Starkey has become embroiled in controversy again after referring to Britain as a 'mono-culture' that is 'absolutely and unmitigatingly white' outside of London.

His comments came during a debate on history teaching in schools, which the TV historian was accused of politicising.

The debate was a result of education secretary Michael Gove’s announcement that he wanted to make "our island story" a fundamental part of the national curriculum.

Dr Starkey advocated for "a serious focus" on British culture, before arguing against the idea of Britain’s diversity by saying: "You think London is Britain. It isn't".

He added that attempts to teach "a kind of Ken Livingstone-esque view of rainbow Britain" was "profoundly misleading", according a report in the Times.

His remarks were criticised by Alex Lee of Warwick University, who said the TV historian "was seen as unnecessarily politicising an abstract issue".

The comments are also likely to prompt anger in anti-fascist circles. The term 'mono-culture' was extensively used by Norwegian extremist Anders Behring Breivik, who killed 77 people earlier this year in a war against 'multiculturalism'.

Earlier this year, Dr Starkey blamed the riots on "a particular sort of violent, destructive, nihilistic gangster culture".
 

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