King arrives at Commonwealth meeting as slavery apology discussed

Summarised from 3 outlets · 4 reports · Updated 31 Oct, 05:08 · Archive

King Charles has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda for a Commonwealth leaders' meeting as the Prime Minister says he is open to a formal British apology for slavery.

King Charles has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda to preside over the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) following a state visit to Guyana. He will deliver the opening address on Tuesday to presidents, prime ministers and other representatives of the 56 Commonwealth member states.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled a shift in the Government's position on slavery, stating the country is 'open' to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state. He wrote in The Guardian that listening to such calls 'will form an important part' of a 'structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade'. Before the trip, ministers had not advised the King to offer an apology or reparations under existing policy, but the prospect is now closer given Burnham's comments.

Burnham expressed his 'sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions' but explicitly rejected financial reparations. He argued that 'British people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws'. The King's speech is likely to reflect the Government's changing stance on the legacy of slavery, which Caribbean nations have pressed Britain to address.

How it is being reported

• ‘Reparations now’: King and Burham face protests at Antigua Commonwealth summitActivists see meeting as opportunity to demand UK confront role in transatlantic enslavement “The royal family enslaved us! Apologise now! Reparatory justice now!” King Charles and the UK prime minister, Andy Burnham, will be greeted with messages as they travel through Antigua’s capital, St John’s, to attend meetings at the Commonwealth leaders’ summit next week. On billboards, placards and T-shirts, in letters and at a candlelight vigil for the thousands of Africans trafficked to Antigua and Barbuda during the transatlantic slave trade, the message from the Caribbean will be pervasive…Guardian World · 31 Oct, 06:00
• King arrives in Antigua and Barbuda - as Burnham 'open' to slavery apologyThe King has arrived in Antigua and Barbuda to address Commonwealth leaders after Andy Burnham said he was "open" to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state.Sky News · 31 Oct, 03:11
• King arrives in Antigua and Barbuda as Burnham ‘open’ to slavery apologyCharles will give the opening address to assembled presidents, prime ministers and other national representatives of the 56 member states.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 02:14
• King arrives in Antigua and Barbuda as Burnham offers slavery apology talksCharles will give the opening address to assembled presidents, prime ministers and other national representatives of the 56 member states.Evening Standard · 31 Oct, 02:09

In this story: King Charles · Andy Burnham · Antigua and Barbuda · Commonwealth · Guyana · Caribbean nations

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