Burnham 'Open' to Calls for Slavery Apology but Not Reparations
Burnham said Britain should open talks on slavery and hear apology demands, but he ruled out paying reparations as Caribbean leaders press for change.
- On Friday, British Prime Minister Andy Burnham wrote in The Guardian expressing "sorrow and regret" for the transatlantic slave trade while stating he is "open" to calls for a formal apology. He ruled out financial reparations, saying modern British people cannot be held liable for historical wrongs.
- Ahead of next week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the Caribbean, Burnham's intervention comes as King Charles faces renewed regional demands for a formal apology during his tour of former British colonies.
- Rejecting financial reparations as "not the right answer," Burnham pledged a "structured dialogue" and announced a new debt-servicing initiative. Chancellor John Healey, Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, and former Prime Minister Gordon Brown will join him at the summit to advance this development strategy.
- Denis O'Brien, founder of The Repair Campaign, called the Prime Minister's statement "disappointing," urging the government to "stop obfuscating and give a full and formal apology now" as a step toward reparatory justice.
- Downing Street believes strengthening Commonwealth ties serves Britain's interests in a world where China and Russia are expanding their influence. The government's emphasis on debt relief and development support aims to secure the Commonwealth's future amid geopolitical uncertainty.
140 Articles
140 Articles
U.K. leader Burnham hints at apology for country's role in slave trade but rejects reparations
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham says his government will consider apologizing for the first time for its role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but has rejected calls for the country to pay reparations.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his government would consider apologizing for the first time over the transatlantic slave trade, but rejected demands for London to pay reparations.
The British Prime Minister announced the study of an official apology for the slave trade and the opening of a dialogue with the affected countries to protect the Commonwealth, with his Government categorically refusing to pay any financial compensation for what he described as historical errors.
Britain could take into account the presentation of official apologies for its involvement in transatlantic slave trade, but will not grant financial compensation, forwarded Prime Minister Andy Burnham. The subject will be on the agenda of the Commonwealth Summit, where the Caribbean states will call for measures to redress historical injustices, according to Reuters.
UK PM Andy Burnham says he is ‘open’ to formal apology for slavery, but rejects reparations
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain's historical role in slavery, before attending next week's Commonwealth summit at which he is likely to face demands for financial reparations.
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