Many of the most sensitive papers from Britain’s late colonial era were not hidden away, but simply destroyed. And nearly 9,000 files from 37 former British colonies that survived a purge of reports about the torture and murders of dissidents were kept hidden for some 20 years.
Guardian (Apr 19, 2012) –Thousands of documents detailing some of the most shameful acts and crimes committed during the final years of the British empire were systematically destroyed to prevent them from falling into the hands of post-independence governments, an official review has concluded. Continue reading