UK PM rejects slavery reparations despite Caribbean demands, open to formal apology

British prime minister Andy Burnham has indicated that he is willing to consider calls for a formal apology for Britain's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade, but has ruled out paying financial reparations for historical injustices.

In an article published in The Guardian, Burnham said his government was prepared to engage with countries and communities affected by slavery through a "structured dialogue". He made the remarks ahead of next week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Antigua and Barbuda, where Caribbean leaders are expected to push for reparations.

"Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process, and I am open to them," Burnham wrote. However, he rejected the argument that people living in Britain today should be financially responsible for crimes committed centuries ago.

"I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part," he said.

The transatlantic slave trade lasted from the 15th to the 19th century, during which millions of Africans were captured, transported and sold into slavery by European traders. According to the Transatlantic Slave Trade Database, Britain transported an estimated 3.2 million Africans across the Atlantic. At least 12.5 million Africans were abducted and forced into the trade.

The issue is expected to feature prominently at the Commonwealth summit, with Caribbean nations seeking reparations for the lasting impact of slavery and colonial exploitation. Their demands have included debt relief, development funding, better access to education and healthcare, and financial support to deal with climate change.

King Charles, who is currently touring the Caribbean, has also acknowledged the suffering caused by slavery. Ahead of the summit, he said it was "only right that we should acknowledge the great suffering and injustices of the past".

Alongside the proposal for dialogue, Burnham said he wanted Britain to take practical steps to help vulnerable countries manage their financial difficulties. He said he hoped to "launch a new drive on debt", including measures that would allow more vulnerable nations to "repay over a longer time period and with better rates".

Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed Burnham's comments and proposals for practical assistance. However, he made clear that the Caribbean's demand for reparatory justice had not changed. "The Caribbean's longstanding position on reparatory justice remains unchanged," Browne said in a Facebook post.