Apologise for slavery? No apology necessary! You couldn't even begin to make reparations. I'm so emotional about the subject of slavery... and I grow more and more so as I grow older... Mr Agbetu's outburst (I can't believe some one actually referred to it as heckling! Heckling is what people do at comedy clubs.) would not have been my own... but perhaps, unlike Mr Agbetu, I don't see this as an issue capable of redemption. I see the debilatating effects of slavery in the lives of Caribbean and African American people even today. But MORE so, I see the pride, strength and grace in the overcoming of enormous tragedy and loss... Africans sold us, the brits (and others) bought us and tormented us... and some of us survived and lived to build nations of our own. The story of slavery is another sad tale of human cruelty and the dominance of the need increase wealth by any means necessary... But it is a tale of survival and the ability of the human spirit to succeed as well as survive.

H M Ward, London,

I do not believe that 'England' should apologise for the slave trade much the same as I do not believe the great-great grandchildren of a muderer should apologise to the great-great grandchildren of their victim.

It appears to me that the Queen and prime minister were attending a service to celebrate the end of the slave trade. I feel this is fitting as they were not responsible but rejoice that it has finished.

To all those people who demand the 'whiteman' to apologise to the 'blackman - what about decendents of black slaves that happen to be of mixed race / white, should they not get an apology too, or should they apologise?

We supposedly live in a multicultural society (granted some parts needs work) but when we catagorise and faction over issues like this then the problems start.

We should all learn from the past but look to the future.

Jonnie, Newcastle, Tyne and Wear

The slavery of Black people today is still continuing in the patronising way they are treated, their invisibility in society, the lack of a voice in the media, and their perceived collective association with crime. Under the weight of such negativity are minorities still oppressed in British society. I do not see the value of an apology or reparation, but if other Black people would feel better for it, that should be acknowledged. We cannot return to the past to change anything so, for me, a hollow apology without accountability is meaningless. What is more important is the open acknowledgement of a terrible deed that has been ignored for years, a genuine desire to to acknowledge and ameliorate the lasting effects of this vile act, particularly on our youngsyers today who lack a sense of belonging, of achievement, of self-esteem and confidence in their future, which is most important now. But it cannot be improved with the same old superior, arrogant attitudes of the majority society.

Elaine Sihera, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

There is still a patronising air towards Black people regarding slavery and as Claire Hartnell rightly comments "The lack of black, male role models in society is directly related to the emasculation of blacks 200 years ago." That is the truly awful legacy of slavery on Africans dispersed abroad: it'sdeeply psychological and corrosive effects are still being felt now.

To be forcibly ejected en masse from one's place of birth and dispersed all over the world to be the slaves of another race of people is one conscious slice of being Black, continually haunting us, that will never be understood by a White person in any number of lifetimes. It is such a powerful, pervasive and debilitating emotion, a kind of dirty secret spanning years of discrimination and entrapment. Black strangers only have to look at each other briefly in the street to share something instantly familiar, oddly binding and utterly unspeakable which hovers relentlessly through time. I am behind Tony Agbetu all the way.

Elaine Sihera, Maidenhead, United Kingdom

It may seem inappropriate ,but shouldn't we feel sorry for the former slave owners whose accustomed life styles were so brusquely reduced by Mr. Wilberforce's praisworthy efforts ?

CHARLES, IPSWICH,

If life in Britain and the United States is so terrible, perhaps they might wish to help their fellow man in Rowanda?

John McIlray, Scottsdale, Arizona, USA

I thought it deplorable that Mr Agbetu was, so I have read, kept in custody overnight. All he did was display bad manners and shout.

Not a very Christian response to his behaviour.

Michael Smith, Southampton, UK

I was impressed how the police and bodyguards leapt to protect the Queen and PM from the potential assassin. Not.

Simon, Sevenoaks,

Our wealth and excellent standard of life as a western nation has been founded on the backs of our ex-colonies. We aren't rich as a country because we have been somehow more intelligent than the rest of the world.

We do have an obligation towards the countries of the world that we left in an incapacitated state.

It's too easy to say that it happened before us and it therefore isn't our problem. Our wealth, our infrastructure, our pretty architecture are all a product of essentially, theft.

Neil, Cambridge,

And the descendants of the Vikings-are they paying compensation for rape and pillage?

DXB

Audrey, Dubai, UAE

The best way to get back at the slave owning and slave trading nations is for African who were removed and transported for slavery to revert to their original religion and shed the christian faith that was the instigator for slavery.
Slaves in America were promised equal citizenship and legal right over 300 years ago provided they become christian but they had to toil for nearly 300 years of slavery and discrimination before getting some rights.

oscar, pomona,

While we're at granting undocumented black people amnesty, shall we release all black criminals in prison on the grounds that their forefathers may have been in slavery?

Michael Laughton, runcorn, United Kingdom

It is totally ridiculous to suggest that anyone in the present should apologise for slavery, it was in the past in a completely different era with different standards and ways of life. The suggestion of compensation is equally ludicrous but perhaps an offer to pay for those descendants of slaves who so wish to return and establish themselves in their forebears homeland would be acceptable - I do not envisage a rush of takers. Stop wingeing about the past and use your energy to build a better future.

Michael, Winchester,

An apology is a personal thing. No one can apoloigse as no one alive now was personally responsible.

The country has expressed its regret at what happened.

Out of interest, have the African nations who sold the slaves in the first place, been asked for an apology?

Sarah, London, UK

An apology is a personal thing. No one can apoloise as no one alive now was personally responsible.

The country has expressed its regret at what happened.

Out of interest, have the African nations who sold the slaves in the first place, been asked for an apology?

Sarah, London, UK

If we want the Romans and the French to apologise for past invasions, what about the Angles, Saxons and Jutes!
Apologies by people long after the event will not do anything. The comment about distrust of whiteman institutions is false as that is a modern distrust gained through the last 40 years of black immigration into this country.

John, London,

I want an apology from the Arab countries who took into slavery whole villages from Cornwall including some of my Ancestors.

Royston Parry, Falmouth, Cornwall

It is a fact that none of the africans who complain about their ancestors being brought over from Africa as slaves never seem too ancious to return to Africa themselves.

brian lee, medina, usa ohio

Most of the comments here make clear the ignorance of people with regards to history. The brutal exploitation of Africa continued long after the slave trade, and Britiain's empire was built on the back of slaves. Today we are still living with the legacy of that era. At the very least Britain should show its maturity and class as a nation by apologising for such uncivilised behaviour.

John, Manchester,

As an African of British descent, I agree that Mr Agbetu could have handled the situation better. What I don't understand is why it is okay to ask Germany to apologise for the holocuast but Britain, whose economy was partially founded on slavery can't apologise for its part in it. Seems like double standards.

Oh, thanks for all the aid that Britain has given my continent, Africa. See not that hard to apologise or say thanks.

A Jones , London , England

I believe that an apology for something that occurred 200 years ago is simply hollow & self serving. I would much rather the drive from peoples indignation were foccussed on correcting current injustices - which of course we can influence & attempt to remedy.

David Norton, Haworth,

The point is that the apology was due 200 years ago and still has not been given. This country should apologise even if it is two centuries late.

I'm sick of this culture that we seem to be developing of not caring about what other people feel or think. Every time any issue with non-whites is brought up all the closet racists shout, "Enough of this political correctness!" A simple apology could go a long way to make a large group of people feel a lot better. What's wrong with that?

Jon, london, UK

Apologising for past wrongs in this overt way is all very well, but rings distinctly hollow to me. The slave trade continues to this day as we all know, just in differing forms, eg sex trade, child labour.

Every single race in the world has committed crimes against others over the past 200 years, but apologies do not stop this pattern being repeated in some shape or form.

Instead of harping on about historic wrongs which can never truly be righted, why not concentrate on helping the black, white, yellow, brown 'slaves' of TODAY ?

Annie, Bath, UK

I do not support the idea of today's generation apologising for something, which they are not guilty of but only vicariously shameful about. But the question of this outburst and the hatred every one feels or may feel (black or white) when another has profiteered at the expense of one's life is undeniably palpable.Lets not measure his outburst in terms of "black v white" but in the most basic of human feelings when a section of British society (and African society too) profiteered from enslaving black Africans. Was his outburst proper - probably. Was his demand of apology and reparation proper - perhaps not as it would not seek actions from those who actually perpetrated it. It is a sad choice of agenda by politicians and media (BBC mainly) to harp on about slave trade 200 years on when perpetrators have profiteered and died and ordinary civilians whose life was blighted then and now to pick up the tab. What a shame that our society has yet again fractured to cater to political whims.

Prabhat, UK,

Mr Tiboah-Addo, why should we today grant total amnesty to undocumented people? Slavery ended 200 years ago, not last week. The undocumented people who are now in this country are illegal immigrants and have no right to be here. Your suggestions are utterly ridiculous!

I really do not see the reason for White-man's guilt towards black people - the British Empire spread throughout the world, if the government (not to mention the Queen) are expected to apologise to black people will they then be expected to apologise to every race and nation they colonised? It's time to appreciate the benefits this country has given to the descendants of former slaves in the form of opportunity, education, healthcare and move on by rejecting the victimisation culture and being part of the British community, which, I'm sure many are already doing and have been doing so for many years.

Sarah, London, UK,

Possibly most entertaining that as this man's name is clearly Yoruba, like mine, his ancestors are far more likely to have been slave traders than slaves.

Abioye A Oyetunji, London,

I'm glad Mr. Agbetu had his say. There has been something cloying about the way we've celebrated the abolition of the slave trade (not slavery) in the past 2 weeks. Summed up when this weekend's Sunday Times ran a front page picture of a rosy-cheeked, white girl waving an anti-slavery flag. Was all that pain and suffering just for this? There should be more anger. People who talk about modern day slavery or blacks selling blacks miss the point. Two wrongs don't make a right. The lack of black, male role models in society is directly related to the emasculation of blacks 200 years ago. This has led to an ingrained distrust of white institutions (education, police, army) which, in many cases, has been justified. Institutions, not individuals, should say sorry. Those who talk about their ancestors working in pits forget that an entire century of labour law has righted those wrongs. We have seen barely any pro-Black legislation with the same intended effect. I am Sorry.

Claire Hartnell, Hertfordshire,

Disgraceful and ignorant behaviour! At the time of slavery it was his ancestors' custom. In some countries today it still is.

Gerry, exeter, england devon

There's been a lot of talk about Tony Blair apologising for the slave trade - will anyone be thanking him personally for abolishing it ?

JT, Cambridge,

No one can deny that the slave trade was a disgusting and barbaric treatment of other human beings. However i think demanding apologies now is not right what should Britain in this day and age apologise for? We have moved on and lets not forget Britain was not the first or the last nation to deal in slaves. We should be moving on there are countries that deal in slavery now thats who we should be targeting. We give billions in aid to Africa and i feel we have tried to make amends to the African people. Have other nations done as much?

The heckling in the memorial service by this man was disgusting, what was he trying to achieve? If he thinks Britain isn't doing enough tough! He can go try his luck in other countries see how far he gets with them.

Carolyn, Yorkshire, England

I'm surprised that very few Africans acknowledge, that not only did they carrry on slaving both before and after the Atlantic slave trade but that in terms of numbers many more Africans profited from the slave trade than whites. Nor has slavery been a wholly negative experience - after all, many descendants of slaves have had the opportunity to settle in these islands. There are many Africans still on the continent who would cheerfully swap places with them if they could. Oh, and three cheers for the RN too. That was the single most important agency in the ending of the transatlantic slave trade.

A. Dean, Exeter,

Of course Britain believes slavery is wrong; this is why we abolished it 200 years ago. Show me a single person in this country that believes otherwise. Apologising will achieve nothing, and only pander to the creeping (and rather noxious) popularity of group victimism in society.

Ours is stil a liberal and harmonious society. Encouraging people with black skin to believe that they are disadantaged, that somehow they have been wronged by the Evil Whiteman, does not further their rights and only creates a division in society where currently there is none.

Anthony Charlton, Swindon,

I hope that we all agree that slavery was evil, should never have come in to existance, and that aboloshing it was the proper thing to do. But what is the current fixation with demanding apologies for actions that happened hundreds of years ago, and which were nothing to do with anyone alive now?

If we are to accept apologies as the correct way forward, I suggest that the French President should aplogise for the Norman Conquest, and that Italy should should issue a formal and full aplogy for the Roman invasion of Britain. Then we can start looking at exactly who needs to apologise for the invasion of Iraq!

Richard, Manchester,

This man's protest was ill judged and ill mannered. This was neither the time nor the place. It was a religious service in a house of God. Slavery is an emotive issue but that is no excuse. This country has not practiced slavery for two hundred years. Can Africans make that claim? We have been making great strides in recognising Britain's part in this horrible and repulsive trade and the benefits that we accrued from it. Africans must also recognise their part in it too and accept that they are not blameless either.

Mark, Grangemouth, UK

Have the blacks who sold their countrymen in to slavery apologised, have the arab slave traders also been brought to book on this issue? Where do we stop with this apologist craze, do we get all the nations that ever invaded any other country to apologise. Slavery was around for thousands of years. The early inhabitants of England were enslaved by invaders from Rome, the Nordics etc. Get over it, it is no longer an issue, there are more important problems to focus on. B liar just uses this sort of thing to take the focus of what a failure his government is.

Steve Baguley, Beaconsfield,

First of all they need to appolgise for selling themselves in slavery before the arrival of the west...

Adam Webb, Milton Keynes, UK

yes, the queen, the monarch and tony should appologise.
the greetest slaverly today is that most white mens' have bad attitude towards black people which no one has ever tried to eradicate.

most whites are not yet deep down sorry for the slavely. may be the apology could try and bring abit of sense to them.

stephen, portsmouth,

What i would like to know is when are the Romans going to pay compensation for enslaving the whole of europe?

Also, What about the Egyptians? I believe that the pyramids were build by thousands of slaves.

Slavery is a disgusting act that has carried on for 1000's of years by people of all racial backgrounds, all over the world. Instead of demanding apologies from people who have had nothing to do with what happened 200 years ago why aren't we demanding that our Governments do something to stop modern day slavery.

We should stop channeling our energies into something that ultimatly will have no effect on anybodies day to day life and pour all of our efforts into making someones life better.

Happy10, Nrthwich, England

I find it rather ironic that our exalted socialist overlord Blair was at this display of sycophantic, masochistic pantomime, when his excuse for a government with its lackadaisical approach to immigration has led to a massive rise in people smuggling and imported sex slaves in Britain.

With regard to the protest, I'm with Marc in Singapore - why should we apologise for something we as individuals did not do? Should we ask for apologies and reparations from Italy for the Roman invasion, financial benefits from the people of Scandinavia for Viking attacks, the Normans for what William the Conquerer did to this country and I guess in 50 years or so before we actually become a Muslim state, there will be some calling for apologies and cash for the destruction of the British people as a result of uncontrolled immigration and the spread of Islam.

Derek Leach, Bredhurst, England

My ancestors were coal miners and wool weavers. They were not involved in the slave trade in any way, and like the majority of families have nothing to apologise for.

Our government 'must' do absolutely nothing. They did the right thing by abolishing the slave trade 200 years ago. There is no debt to be paid by current or future generations.

Mark, Manchester,

Before there was a slave trade we already had a version of slavery in Britain. The poor were indentured to the land owners and if they did not do what was demanded they ended up being thrown out and left to die. We cannot possible appologise for things that happened hundreds of years ago and todays black people cannot use the slave trade as an excuse for the bad behaviour of some. How far do we go, do we ask the canibals to appologise for eating our missionaries?

Joseph Kellie, Edinburgh, Scotland

My view is that all this shouting about apologies 200 years on is attention seeking. Of course it is right that slavery has been abolished - it indeed it has and not just changed style - and nobody would surely say that the slaves traders were anything but greedy and wrong. But modern people cannot apologise for something done 200 years ago.

Elizabeth Brown, Peterborough, England

l do support Mr Agbetu's outburst at the memorial service.
Its quite shamefull that in this day and age, and up till now the British government has not appologise for SLAVERY.
The government most appologise and treat Black people with respect, as slave - trading nation like Britian have to face the fact that, their prosperity was built in large part on this atrocity of your forefathers.
The government most also grant all undecumented black people total amnesty and the right to stay in the country as they have the right to share in the prosperity of this nation as these people are still under slavery in Britain today.
Thank You

Frederick Tiboah-Addo, Telford, Shropshire

Black people were selling each into slavery thousands of years before we were even aware of Africa. Black people are still selling each other into good old fashioned slavery and just plain indentured even to this day.

I am like every person in this country is glad that slavery has been abolished in the west.

I also agree whole heartedly with the balck groups banner "Not in my name". I mean what are we going to do ask the Italians to apologise for the Romans.

These politically correct apologies are offensive to intelligent pragmatic people.

Marc, Singapore,

I wonder whether he will also take issues with the descendents of the tribal elders who sold their own people into slavery, and also with the Moors and Arabs of north Africa who were so instrumental in the trading of slaves. Probably not.

Jeremy Hale, London,

There's a time and a place for everything. This ceremony was neither for this arrogant display, and it merely detracted from the solemnity and dignity of the occasion.

David Russelld, Sheffield, South Yorkshire