Andy Burnham says he is 'open' to a formal British state apology for slavery but rules out paying reparations

Andy Burnham has moved further toward a formal state apology for the slave trade than any of his predecessors as Prime Minister, writing in the Guardian ahead of next week's Commonwealth heads of government meeting in the Caribbean. He described the trade as a "brutal and barbaric violation" of people "treated as property and worked to their deaths" and proposed a "structured dialogue" with Caribbean nations and campaign groups. Burnham maintained that British people today "could not be held liable for historical wrongs" and that reparations were "not the right answer."

The move comes as King Charles tours the Caribbean, where nations have renewed demands for both an apology and financial reparations.

Burnham cast the step as an expression of patriotism, writing: 'We led the world in abolishing slavery — and we can show leadership again today.'

He is due to attend the Commonwealth summit next week, where the slavery apology question is expected to dominate proceedings.