Andy Burnham will ask countries affected by Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade to help shape a possible formal apology, Downing Street has said. The prime minister is due to launch a “structured dialogue” at the Commonwealth heads of government summit in Antigua and Barbuda, which begins on Tuesday.
The government says the views of affected countries and communities should inform any apology, rather than the UK deciding its form on its own. The Foreign Office will lead discussions, which No 10 said would take place over the coming days rather than at a dedicated session.
UK officials at the summit said other Commonwealth members had responded positively to the offer of dialogue. They said discussions about difficult aspects of the past could build trust as leaders work together on issues including trade and climate.
Downing Street has ruled out reparations following an apology. Burnham is, however, expected to outline plans for debt restructuring for countries facing higher borrowing costs.
The prime minister described the approach as a change in how the UK engages with the Commonwealth, while also saying the country was open to discussing its past. His spokesperson said Burnham had expressed sorrow and regret for the suffering caused by the slave trade, but distinguished those statements from a formal apology.
Tony Blair expressed “deep sorrow” over Britain’s role in the slave trade in 2006 but did not make a formal apology. Buckingham Palace was informed of Burnham’s plans in advance, according to his spokesperson. King Charles is in Antigua and Barbuda for a visit ahead of the summit.
Sources: The Guardian World.