Now we're told to write Turks into our history
A RACE equality chief last night called for British history to be rewritten to include the contribution of other cultures.
Trevor Phillips, head of the Commission for Equality and Human Rights, said including the role of foreign nations in events would foster a sense of national identity.
But last night there were fears our history was being rewritten to be “political correct” and pander to minority groups.
Mr Phillips claimed the role of the Muslim Turks in “saving” Queen Elizabeth I from defeat by the Spanish Armada in 1588 was one such important omission which should be written in.
He added the country would face “stormy times” if history was not rewritten to be more “inclusive”.
But it emerged that comments by Mr Phillips – which could potentially revolutionise the teaching of history for future generations – are based on flimsy evidence uncovered in letters which fail to prove the Turks actually helped the British Navy at all.
Researcher Jerry Brotton at London University found a letter from Elizabeth I’s security chief and spymaster, Sir Francis Walsingham, to her ambassador in Istanbul requesting the Turks “harry” the Spanish armada.
But there is no proof they carried out her request.
Critics said that rewriting history without concrete proof of events would only serve to “dilute” British culture and “pander” to minority groups. John Midgely, from the Campaign Against Political Correctness, said: “The rewriting of history is part and parcel of political correctness.
“We are not some Soviet or North Korean-style republic where some quango chief tells us how our history should be taught.
“There are great events in British history, from the Battle of Trafalgar to the building of an Empire, which should not be made subject to the whims of political correctness.”
Nick Seaton, chairman of the Campaign for Real Education, said the move could be damaging for children and for Britain.
“Youngsters spend so little time learning history these days and can drop it when they’re 14 so adding new aspects will only dilute their knowledge. It’s good for youngsters to learn about British history because they live in Britain.
“It does seem like another move towards trying to please everybody – which means it will please nobody.
“It’s a gesture that’s unlikely to be much help.”
Speaking at a Labour conference fringe meeting last night, Mr Phillips said he did not want to “rewrite what we are” but “sometimes we have to go back into the tapestry and insert some threads that were lost. We may need to revisit some parts of our heritage.”
