Burnham open to slavery apology talks but rejects financial reparations

Politics · First reported 30 Oct, 22:00 · Updated 22:49

Image: Wikimedia Commons · NASA Johnson Space Center · Public domain

Andy Burnham says the UK will offer structured dialogue with people affected by the transatlantic slave trade, including discussion of calls for a formal state apology. He rejects financial reparations and proposes work on debt restructuring for poorer Commonwealth countries.

Burnham says he is open to calls for a formal apology and proposes structured talks with people affected by the slave trade.
He rejects financial reparations, saying people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs in which they played no personal part.
He also proposes a debt initiative for poorer Commonwealth countries, with Gordon Brown asked to help develop the work.

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Key facts

Proposed process: Structured dialogue with people affected by the transatlantic slave trade.
Apology: Burnham says he is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state.
Reparations: Burnham rejects financial reparations.
Debt proposal: A drive would seek longer repayment periods and better rates for poorer countries.
Debt and health: The report says more than 40% of the poorest and most vulnerable countries spend more on interest repayments than on health.