Burnham says he is 'open' to a formal slavery apology but rules out reparations as King lands in Antigua
Andy Burnham proposed a "structured dialogue" with affected countries on any formal apology, while firmly ruling out financial reparations ahead of the Commonwealth summit.Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade prompted Andy Burnham to declare himself open to a formal state apology — a position no previous prime minister had taken.King Charles was welcomed to Guyana by President Mohamed Irfaan Ali ahead of a State Reception marking 60 years of UK-Guyana relations, with pop star Eddy Grant and Foreign Secretary David Lammy among the guests at the…King Charles, whose visit to the region precedes next week's Commonwealth summit, faces protests in St John's where campaigners have vowed the reparations issue will not be dodged.
Writing ahead of next week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua, Burnham broke with all previous British prime ministers by stating he is open to a formal state apology for the transatlantic slave trade. He asked former PM Gordon Brown to lead a global effort to restructure debt for the poorest former British colonies. King Charles, who has already visited a parade ground where slaves were publicly executed, is expected to reflect the government's new position in his CHOGM opening address on Tuesday.
Burnham flatly ruled out financial reparations, writing that Britons today cannot be 'held liable for historical wrongs... in which they played no personal part.'
Protesters in Antigua's capital St John's are greeting Charles and Burnham with billboards and T-shirts reading 'Reparations now', calling the government's position 'extremely insulting.'
Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said a formal apology would 'cost nothing' and help relieve the 'stench of Empire' surrounding the King's tour.
