Andy Burnham is 'open' to a formal British apology for slavery ahead of a Caribbean summit but rules out reparations

Andy Burnham has declared himself "open" to a formal state apology for Britain's part in the transatlantic slave trade, adopting a position no previous prime minister has taken. The statement comes days before he is set to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in the Caribbean, where member nations have renewed calls for both an apology and financial reparations.

Burnham firmly ruled out reparations, arguing that Britons today 'cannot be held liable for historical wrongs' in a different age.

He proposed a 'structured dialogue' with affected countries and campaign groups, placing the apology question within that framework.

Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, who has been at the forefront of reparations demands, welcomed Burnham's stance ahead of the summit.