'We've had enough of apologising': Kemi Badenoch warns a Burnham slavery apology would open the door to reparations demands
Andy Burnham proposed a "structured dialogue" with affected countries on any formal apology, while firmly ruling out financial reparations ahead of the Commonwealth summit.King Charles III and Queen Camilla, whose constitutional role bars the King from referencing Andy Burnham's policy shift on a formal apology in his CHOGM address.
Kemi Badenoch declared the British Empire was "overall a force for good" and called Burnham's slavery apology hint "virtue signalling" as she blasted him for putting "pressure" on King Charles ahead of the Commonwealth summit in Antigua. Burnham's remarks blindsided the Palace — journalists travelling with the King had been assured as late as Thursday evening that government policy was "absolutely no apology". Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy, head of the all-party group on Afrikan Reparations, seized on the concession, demanding it be the prelude to "concrete steps" on reparations.
Barbados PM Mia Mottley thanked Burnham for 'breaking new ground' — exactly the reparations foothold critics feared.
Suella Braverman warned: 'This is exactly how the Chagos disaster started,' citing the £30bn Mauritius deal.
Badenoch questioned whether CHOGM is worth attending if it becomes 'an exercise in presenting Britain with demands for cash.'
