Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated willingness to consider a formal UK apology for the transatlantic slave trade while explicitly ruling out financial reparations. The statement comes as Caribbean leaders renew demands for historical accountability during King Charles III's regional tour. Downing Street regards robust Commonwealth partnerships as essential to countering the expanding reach of Russia and China. Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley welcomed the prospect of talks, even as advocacy groups warned that apologies without financial compensation fall short.
Key points
The British government is seeking to address historical grievances without accepting mode…: The British government is seeking to address historical grievances without accepting modern financial liability for past atrocities.
Strengthening Commonwealth relations ahead of the Caribbean summit is viewed in London as…: Strengthening Commonwealth relations ahead of the Caribbean summit is viewed in London as a strategic check against Russian and Chinese influence.
Campaigners continue to push back against the United Kingdom, arguing that formal apologi…: Campaigners continue to push back against the United Kingdom, arguing that formal apologies must ultimately lead to comprehensive financial reparations.
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Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is "open" to the possibility of the UK issuing a formal apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, but has ruled out considering financial reparations.
Burham said he wanted a "dialogue with those affected by the slave trade" and was open to "calls for an apology".
He dismissed the idea of paying financial reparations, saying they were "not the right answer".
The comments come ahead of a Commonwealth leaders summit in the Caribbean next week, which Burnham will attend. Caribbean nations have renewed calls for the UK to apologise for its role in the slave trade, and for reparations, as King Charles III tours the region.
Burham described the transatlantic slave trade, when Africans were trafficked to the Americas, as a "brutal and barbaric violation" and said Britain must "face up to the past".
The British government has never formally apologised for slavery or offered to pay reparations. Burnham has stuck with the policy of his predecessors, and has stopped short of offering any consideration of reparation payments.
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