P109news.today109Tue 03 Nov16:28
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Burnham opens door to slavery apology as Commonwealth gathers
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled openness to a formal British apology for slavery, while firmly ruling out financial reparations.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham has signalled he is open to discussing a formal British apology for the slave trade at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua this week, representing a departure from previous governments' positions. He has ruled out paying financial reparations but plans to launch a 'structured dialogue' with affected nations to shape what an apology might look like. Burnham is also providing £40 million in new aid for Caribbean infrastructure and green energy projects, and plans to discuss 'debt reset' arrangements for Commonwealth nations facing higher borrowing costs. King Charles has told Commonwealth leaders the slave trade 'fills my heart with horror' but stopped short of offering an apology himself. Opposition leader Kemi Badenoch has argued against any apology, saying it would intensify calls for compensation, while Antigua's Prime Minister Gaston Browne criticised her position.
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