UK PM signals government will consider slave trade apology

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 31 Oct, 10:39 · Archive

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says his government will consider apologising for the first time for Britain's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade.

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled that his government will consider apologising for Britain's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade for the first time. He is seeking to strengthen relations with Commonwealth nations in Africa and the Caribbean ahead of a meeting of Commonwealth leaders in Antigua and Barbuda next week.

Writing in the Guardian, Burnham said Britain needed to acknowledge its 'complicated history' in order to protect the Commonwealth, an association of 56 independent nations that grew out of the British Empire. 'For years, those members of the Commonwealth affected by the slave trade have asked for an honest conversation about the legacies of slavery,' he said. 'By sticking our heads in the sand, we have damaged the ability of the Commonwealth to function.'

Burnham said his government would offer 'structured dialogue' with those affected by slavery and would listen to calls for a formal apology by the British state. However, he said Britain would continue to resist calls for reparations. 'I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part,' he said.

The prime minister also announced plans to address debt issues facing Commonwealth nations and other developing countries, working with other wealthy nations and investors to help vulnerable countries pay off debts over longer periods and at lower interest rates. Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will attend the Commonwealth meeting to support this initiative.

How it is being reported

• UK prime minister signals the government will consider an apology for its role in the slave tradeU.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham says his government will consider apologizing for the first time for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade as it seeks to strengthen relations with nations in Africa and the Caribbean.News4Jax · 31 Oct, 09:48
• UK prime minister signals the government will consider an apology for its role in the slave tradeU.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham says his government will consider apologizing for the first time for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade as it seeks to strengthen relations with nations in Africa and the Caribbean.Clickorlando · 31 Oct, 09:48

In this story: Andy Burnham · UK · Commonwealth · Antigua and Barbuda · Gordon Brown

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