(Last year, Prince Charles apologised to the great-grandchildren of Edwardian orphans who were dressed as bees and made to pollunate flowers in the grounds of Windsor Castle.)Child migrants in British prisons and detention centres have welcomed PM Gordon Brown’s apology to the child migrants of a previous century.
Under the Child Migrants Programme, some 7 000 children were sent to Australia, but many were abused and ended up in institutions.
Today’s imprisoned migrants applauded the Prime Minister’s announcement that “the time is now right” for the UK government to apologise for the actions of previous governments, even though some of the victims of the 80-year-old scheme are no longer with us to appreciate it.
“It is a kind and thoughtful gesture,” said Fatima Latif, 10, Yarl’s Wood. “My sisters and I have been held prisoner for 18 months now and subjected to racist abuse by guards; we can really feel for those children of an earlier generation.”
“We are very pleased with Mr Brown’s brave words,” said Mohammed Salehi, 6 and a half, Dungavel.
