Miliband rules out extra cost for slavery apology

Summarised from 5 outlets · Updated 4 Nov, 08:42 · Archive

Ed Miliband has insisted the government's apology for Britain's role in the slave trade will not cost taxpayers money.

Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband has pledged that British taxpayers will not pay more as a result of the government's new approach to Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. Prime Minister Andy Burnham is pursuing a 'structured dialogue' with Commonwealth nations on the issue and is expected to deliver a formal apology. Miliband said this dialogue was likely to conclude within a year, with the apology potentially ready by the time Britain hosts the G20 leaders' summit in Manchester next November.

When asked directly whether the new approach would cost UK taxpayers money, Miliband told the BBC: 'No. I mean, not… no. And that's – for us, that's never been what it's about.' Burnham himself had repeatedly refused to give the same guarantee when asked about potential costs, creating mixed signals from the government.

Miliband criticised previous governments' approach to slavery, saying they had tended to 'sweep under the carpet' the issue. He specifically attacked former Prime Minister Tony Blair's 2006 comments as a 'sorry, not sorry' situation. Blair had expressed 'deep sorrow and regret' for Britain's involvement in the slave trade but stopped short of a full apology, and No 10 subsequently 'walked back' on the remarks.

GB News reports that Burnham has prepared a £40 million package for green energy schemes across Caribbean nations. However, the government has ruled out paying reparations directly. The King pointedly avoided any suggestion of an apology in his keynote speech at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua, instead saying 'we cannot change the past', though he acknowledged the 'shameful chapter of history' filled him with 'profound personal sorrow'.

The move has caused controversy, with critics pointing out that the UK also led the way in abolishing the global slave trade. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch cautioned against issuing an apology at all.

How it is being reported

• Miliband criticises Blair’s slavery statement and defends Burnham’s plan for proper apology – UK politics liveThe foreign secretary added that the UK will not shift its position on reparations Good morning. Wednesdays are normally the most exciting day of the week at Westminster, because it’s PMQs, but today (unless we get some mega surprise) all the action is taking place somewhere else. In part, that’s because Andy Burnham is still at the Commonwealth summit in Antigua. But mostly because anyone in SW1 with even a passing interest in politics will be far more interested in the outcome of the US midterm elections. You can catch up with all the drama on our US politics live blog. While the US…The Guardian · 4 Nov, 08:59
• UK taxpayers will not pay penny more for new approach to Commonwealth – MilibandThe Prime Minister has left the door open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the state for Britain’s involvement in the slave trade.Evening Standard · 4 Nov, 08:18
• So which is it? Ed Miliband claims UK won't pay 'a penny more' due to slavery apology move… after Burnham repeatedly refused to give the same guaranteeForeign Secretary Ed Miliband has pledged that that Britons will not pay a 'penny more' due to the Government's shift in approach.Daily Mail · 4 Nov, 08:05
• Ed Miliband says slavery apology will NOT cost British taxpayers despite Andy Burnham set to hand over £40MILLIONEd Miliband has insisted an apology from the British Government over the transatlantic slave trade will not cost taxpayers despite Andy Burnham preparing to hand Caribbean nations a £40million package for green energy schemes. The Foreign Secretary told the BBC that previous governments had a "sweep it under the carpet" mindset towards the issue, lamenting at what he described as Sir Tony Blair's "sorry not sorry" comments. Mr Miliband acknowledged that while the former Prime Minister expressed "deep sorrow and regret" over the slave trade, he said No10 subsequently "walked back" on the…GB News · 4 Nov, 07:43
• Ed Miliband Slams Tony Blair For Not Apologising For Britain's Role In The Slave TradeEd Miliband has criticised Tony Blair’s approach to Britain’s role in the slave trade. The foreign secretary accused the former prime minister of taking a “sorry, not sorry” approach by not making a full apology on behalf of the UK when he was in No.10. Miliband all-but confirmed that Andy Burnham will apologise – but insisted it would not cost the government “a penny more” amid calls from African and Caribbean countries for reparations. Burnham is set to hold talks at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua over what form the apology will take. Speaking in 2006 when…HuffPost UK · 4 Nov, 07:06

In this story: Ed Miliband · Andy Burnham · Tony Blair · King Charles · Kemi Badenoch · Commonwealth · Antigua · Manchester

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