UK PM Burnham says he is ‘open’ to formal apology for slavery, but rules out reparations

British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to calls for a formal apology for Britain’s historical role in slavery, ​before attending next week’s Commonwealth summit at which he is likely to face demands ‌for financial reparations. Writing in the Guardian newspaper, Burnham said Britain was “offering a structured dialogue with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade”, in which at least 12. 5 million Africans were abducted and sold into ​slavery. “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,” he added.

But Burnham rejected calls for financial reparations , writing: “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. ” From the 15th to the 19th century, millions of Africans were sold into slavery by European traders, with Britain transporting an estimated ​3. 2 million people across the Atlantic, according to the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade Database. Ahead of the Commonwealth ​Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua and Barbuda, a spokesperson for King Charles said he “will not shy away ‌from confronting ⁠the most shameful aspects of the past” during his visit. A spokesperson for Charles — head of the Commonwealth group of 56 nations, mainly former British colonies — added: “It would not be appropriate for him to address matters of particular policy relating to the UK government’s position. ” Charles ​continues to receive ​treatment for cancer, though ⁠a senior…