Britain’s prime minister is open to formal slavery apology, rules out financial reparations

Burnham’s position on apology

Burnham said he wanted to express sorrow for the suffering of millions and recognise slavery’s continuing impact. He described the trade as a brutal violation of enslaved people’s rights and proposed structured dialogue with those affected.

Reparations remain off the table

Burnham rejected financial reparations, saying he did not consider them the right response. He argued that people in Britain today should not be held liable for historical wrongs in which they had no personal part.

Commonwealth summit draws attention

The issue has featured during King Charles III’s nine-day visit to three Caribbean countries. In the Bahamas on Tuesday, the king acknowledged the great suffering of the past.

Burnham will attend the Commonwealth heads of government summit in St John’s, Antigua and Barbuda, which runs from Sunday to Wednesday. The 56-member Commonwealth is mainly made up of former British colonies, and Britain’s history of slavery remains contentious within the organisation.

Denis O’Brien, founder of The Repair Campaign, called on the UK government to issue a full formal apology. He described an apology as a significant symbolic step toward reparatory justice.