UK's Burnham opens door to slavery apology, rejects reparations
What's next: Caribbean leaders are expected to press reparatory justice demands at next week's Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda.
British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he is willing to consider a formal state apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade, while ruling out financial reparations ahead of next week's Commonwealth summit in Antigua and Barbuda. In a Guardian article, Burnham proposed a “structured dialogue” with countries affected by slavery and said hearing calls for an apology should be part of that process. He argued, however, that people in Britain today should not be held personally liable for historic crimes. Burnham also pushed practical measures, including debt relief and better lending terms for vulnerable countries. Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne welcomed that support but said the Caribbean's position on reparatory justice had not changed.