A Green Party candidate campaigning for slavery reparations from Britain is facing scrutiny due to her own family’s historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Antoinette Fernandez, the ‘reparations officer’ for the party’s Global Majority Greens, champions ‘racial and environmental justice’ and calls for British taxpayers to fund reparations for the centuries-long exploitation of enslaved Africans.

Family Background and Wealth

Fernandez’s lineage is complex. She is the daughter of a Nigerian royal and the late billionaire oil baron, Antonio Deinde Fernandez, who amassed a fortune estimated at $8.7 billion. Her mother, Abiola Dosunmu, holds the title of Queen Mother of Lagos, granting Fernandez the designation of ‘princess’ in Nigerian media.

Historical Ties to the Slave Trade

Historical accounts reveal that members of Fernandez’s family, specifically the Obas (kings) of Lagos, were actively involved in the slave trade, profiting significantly from the sale of human beings. Records indicate that some of her forebears owned hundreds, even thousands, of slaves.

Her ancestors actively participated in the trade, even reclaiming enslaved individuals sent to Brazil for use in construction projects within Lagos. The wealth generated from this trade was used to acquire luxury goods, demonstrating the direct economic benefit derived from the exploitation of others.

Controversy and Criticism

This revelation has sparked considerable controversy, with opponents labeling Fernandez a hypocrite for demanding reparations while benefiting from a family history steeped in the slave trade. The Conservative and Reform UK parties have been particularly vocal in their criticism, highlighting the perceived irony of her position.

Critics argue that demanding financial contributions from struggling British citizens is particularly galling given her family’s past.

Green Party’s Defense

The Green Party has defended Fernandez, dismissing the scrutiny of her lineage as a racist tactic intended to discredit the argument for reparative justice. They maintain that focusing on her ancestry is a deliberate attempt to undermine the legitimate call for accountability and redress for the historical injustices of slavery.

Current Political Involvement

Despite the controversy, Fernandez remains a prominent figure within the Green Party. She contested the 2024 General Election and is vying for the position of deputy leader in 2025. She is currently a candidate for councillor in Lea Bridge, Hackney, east London, in the upcoming local elections.

Broader Reparations Movement

The debate surrounding Fernandez’s candidacy underscores the complexities of addressing historical injustices and the challenges of reconciling personal lineage with political advocacy. The issue also highlights the broader international movement for reparations, fueled by a 2023 UN vote supporting the idea of former colonial powers providing financial compensation for the lasting impacts of slavery, potentially amounting to trillions of pounds.

The Conservative Party chairman has criticized the Green Party, suggesting that Fernandez’s candidacy is indicative of a broader trend of ‘hard-Left activism’ within the party.