British Prime Minister Andy Burnham offered to consider an apology for Britain's slave trade
Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the UK government is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain’s role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, while ruling out reparations. He offered to begin a “structured dialogue” with people affected by slavery and said he wanted to address present-day issues, including debt burdens facing developing countries.
More context
U.K. Prime Minister Andy Burnham said his government would consider an official apology over Britain’s part in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, but ruled out compensation. Burnham said the government would begin a “structured dialogue” with people affected by slavery and that listening to calls for an apology on behalf of the British state would be an important part of it. He said people in Britain today could not be held liable for historical wrongs committed in a different era under different laws. Instead, he said he wanted to address current challenges facing Commonwealth and other nations, including high debt in developing countries. Burnham said he would work with other wealthy nations and investors to help vulnerable countries pay off debts over longer periods and at lower interest rates.
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Reporting
- Reuters — UK PM Burnham says he is 'open' to formal apology for slavery, but rules out reparations
- The Diplomatic Insight — UK Prime Minister Open to Formal Apology on Slavery But Rules Out Reparations
- The Independent — Andy Burnham ‘open’ to calls for formal British apology for slavery – but rules out reparations | The Independent
- The Guardian — Andy Burnham open to calls for formal apology for Britain’s role in slave trade
- ABC News — UK PM signals the government will consider an apology for its role in the slave trade - ABC News
Verifier’s note
Reuters, The Diplomatic Insight, The Independent, The Guardian, and ABC News report that Burnham was open to a formal slavery apology while ruling out reparations. These recent reports support the proposed event.