08.11.2026 22:20
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson joined the debate over whether his country should apologize for its history of slavery and colonialism by recounting his family's past during the Ottoman era. Claiming that his great-grandmother was sold as a slave in Istanbul at the age of 13, Johnson said, "We Johnsons are descended from slaves. Now should we, as a well-off family, also demand compensation?"
Calls for Britain to confront its history of slavery and colonialism have turned into a political debate. Former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, in his column in the Daily Mail, moved the debate to the Ottoman era and gave an example from his own family's past.
HE SAID HIS GREAT-GRANDMOTHER WAS SOLD IN ISTANBUL
Johnson said that his great-grandmother was a Circassian girl who was sold as a slave in Istanbul's Grand Bazaar when she was only 13 years old.
Recounting his family's past, Johnson said: "Fortunately, the little girl was lucky. A charitable Turkish woman took a liking to her and bought her. She educated her and married her to her 43-year-old son. Her name was Hanife Feride..."
"SHOULD WE ALSO DEMAND COMPENSATION?"
Johnson linked his family's past to debates over slavery and colonialism in Britain and questioned holding today's societies responsible for what happened in the past.
The former British Prime Minister said, "We Johnsons are descended from slaves. Now should we, as a well-off family, also demand compensation? Why should today's Turkish taxpayer pay for actions carried out under a completely different jurisdiction and administration during the Ottoman period?"
THE APOLOGY DEBATE IN BRITAIN
In Britain, the debate flared after Labour Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the country could apologize for its history of the slave trade and colonialism.
While the call drew reaction from the Conservative Party, Johnson also opposed the idea of demanding compensation from today's taxpayers for past practices.
SON OF THE GRANDSON OF ALİ KEMAL
Johnson, sometimes referred to as "Turkish Boris" and "Boris from Çankırı" because of his Turkish origins, is the son of the grandson of Ali Kemal, who worked as a journalist and minister in the late Ottoman period.
Johnson's statements about his family's Ottoman past brought Turkey into the debate in Britain.