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{{article | publication = Shropshire Star | file = 1998-12-17 Shropshire Star.jpg | px = 750 | height = | width = | date = 1998-12-17 | author = | pages = 19 | language = English | type = | description = | categories = | moreTitles = | morePublications = | moreDates = | text = More than two centuries after it happened, Britain 'apologised' for one of the most significant events in American history. the Boston Tea Party. But as apologies go, it was different to say the least. Standing on the steps of Boston's golden-domed Massachusetts State House, the seat of state government, the act of contrition for the incident 225 years to the day came not from a politician or diplomat but instead from two rather portly, red-faced gentlemen in 18th century costume. Time travelling actor and former Dr Who, Tom Baker, flanked by World Champion Town Crier Peter Randall, declared to the brave few fighting the early morning Atlantic chill: "It was the greatest tea party in history. It led to the glorious American Revolution and to Independence. It led to the moon landing and it led me to come here today to offer the first apology for what led to those tumultuous events of so long ago. "And so from our hearts, we say a sincere sorry to America." Clearly, Barbara Burke, who accepted the apology on behalf of the State Governor, and British Consul to New England, Jim Poston, were impressed. Both declined to comment on whether Dr Who had set a precedent for a full government apology, even though it would not have taken long for a member of Her Majesty's Government to pop round and do it properly as the Chancellor, Gordon Brown was in town. The incident in 1773 which has become known as the Boston Tea Party was caused by the British government's retention of a tea tax after an earlier repeal. A group of angry citizens, disguised as native Indians, threw tea from ships into Boston harbour. Tom Baker's small audience, a handful of passing commuters, just looked bewildered. }}

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