Burnham accused of undermining King over slavery apology

Summarised from 2 outlets · 3 reports · Updated 1 Nov, 01:32 · Archive

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has faced criticism for saying he is open to Britain apologising for its role in the transatlantic slave trade whilst King Charles tours the Caribbean.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has faced criticism after saying he is open to Britain formally apologising for its role in the transatlantic slave trade. He said he wanted to express Britain's 'sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering' caused and proposed a 'structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade'. A formal apology would form part of this process, he said, though he ruled out financial reparations.

The timing has drawn particular criticism. King Charles is currently touring the Caribbean, including The Bahamas and Guyana, and is understood to have been following previous Government advice that there would be no apology. Commonwealth heads of government are gathering in Antigua and Barbuda shortly.

Former Brexit minister David Jones said Burnham had 'demonstrated his lack of both judgment and experience', warning that an apology would be 'seized on by reparations campaigners as a downpayment'. He described floating the idea while the King was overseas as 'astonishingly irresponsible' and said Burnham had 'let his own sovereign down'. Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former leader of the Commons, said such comments were worthy of an 'insignificant mayor' rather than a Prime Minister.

How it is being reported

• The Papers: 'PM lets down the King' and 'Kenny's secret night at Maya's'Many of Sunday's front pages look at what Andy Burnham's comments on an apology for slavery mean for the King.BBC News · 1 Nov, 01:15
• Jacob Rees-Mogg slams Andy Burnham over King Charles 'blunder' - 'insignificant mayor'The former Leader of the Commons gave a scathing critique of Andy Burnham saying he is 'open' to Britain apologising for its role in transatlantic slave tradeDaily Express · 31 Oct, 12:27
• Andy Burnham torn apart after 'letting down' King Charles - 'astonishingly irresponsible'The Prime Minister has been accused of showing a 'lack of both judgment and experience'.Daily Express · 31 Oct, 10:37

In this story: Andy Burnham · King Charles · David Jones · Jacob Rees-Mogg · Caribbean · Antigua and Barbuda

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