Burnham: UK apology for slave trade possible, but no reparations
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is open to apologizing for Britain's role in the slave trade but will not pay financial reparations, arguing people alive today should not be held liable.
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham says he is open to an apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade. He rules out financial reparations.
The Guardian reports that Burnham wrote, ahead of a meeting with Commonwealth leaders, that Britain needed to "acknowledge its complicated history." Its live blog also carries a statement that British people today should not be held liable for past wrongs they played no part in, and that an apology will not involve financial reparations. The excerpt does not name the speaker.
France 24 reports Burnham made the comments on Saturday and that the apology would be the first by the UK. It says Britain's colonial history has loomed over King Charles' ongoing visit to three Caribbean countries, ahead of a Commonwealth leaders summit.
Al Jazeera notes that Caribbean countries have long demanded reparations.
Reported by
- NBC NewsU.K. PM open to slave trade apology but rules out financial reparationsSat, Oct 31, 5:46 AM EDT
- France 24UK PM Burnham says 'open' to slavery apology but rules out financial reparationsSat, Oct 31, 8:31 AM EDT
- Al JazeeraBurnham opens door to formal apology for Britain’s slave tradeSat, Oct 31, 9:19 AM EDT
- The GuardianMinister says UK apology over historic role in slave trade won’t lead to financial reparations – UK politics liveSun, Nov 1, 4:18 AM EST
- The GuardianBritain should not issue apology over slave trade, says Kemi BadenochSun, Nov 1, 6:26 AM EST
- Al JazeeraBurnham ‘open’ to UK slavery apology, but not reparations: Why now?Sun, Nov 1, 10:24 AM EST
This story was written by AI using only the reports listed above, and published without a person reviewing it first. It is rewritten as new reports arrive. Read the original reporting for full detail. Spot an error? Tell us.
Earlier versions (2)
- Sat, Oct 31, 11:35 AM EDT, 3 outlets: UK PM Burnham open to slavery apology, rules out reparations
- Sat, Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT, 2 outlets: UK PM Burnham open to slave trade apology, rules out reparations