Burnham 'open' to calls for slavery apology but not reparations

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has indicated he is open to the idea of the UK issuing a formal apology for its involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, but firmly rejects the notion of providing financial reparations. Burnham emphasized his desire for a dialogue with those impacted by the slave trade and expressed openness to calls for an apology.

He dismissed financial reparations as "not the right answer". These remarks come ahead of a Commonwealth leaders summit in the Caribbean next week, where Caribbean nations have reiterated their calls for both an apology and reparations from the UK, especially as King Charles III is touring the region. Burnham described the transatlantic slave trade as a "brutal and barbaric violation" and stressed the need for Britain to confront its history.

The British government has never formally apologized for slavery or offered reparations. Burnham echoed the stance of his predecessors and has not entertained any consideration of reparation payments. He argued that modern British people cannot be held accountable for historical wrongs committed in a different era under different laws and in which they had no personal involvement.

He stated that he wanted to facilitate a structured dialogue, with listening to calls for an official apology forming an important part of the process. A government source told the BBC that offering an apology was "morally the right thing to do" and Downing Street believed it was in the UK's interest to strengthen the Commonwealth.

The President of Barbados, Mia Mottley, who has been advocating for reparations, welcomed Burnham's statement and expressed her intention to engage in good faith while still seeking reparatory justice. Denis O'Brien, founder of The Repair Campaign, criticized Burnham's statement as insufficient, calling for a full and formal apology to be a significant first step towards reparatory justice.