Burnham open to slavery apology but rules out reparations
The UK prime minister says Britain should face its role in the transatlantic slave trade, but financial reparations are not the answer.
Key facts
Story- UK PM Andy Burnham says he is open to a slavery apology, citing Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade.
- Burnham rejects financial reparations, which Caribbean groups have long demanded.
- Reports from BBC, Al Jazeera and NDTV agree on the apology stance but differ slightly on how it was framed.
What's new
UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to a formal apology for Britain's part in the transatlantic slave trade. He has ruled out financial reparations. The BBC reports that he said Britain must "face up to the past" but that reparations are "not the right answer". Al Jazeera says he opened the door to a formal apology and rejected reparations, despite long-running Caribbean demands. NDTV quotes him saying he wanted to "express my sorrow and regret" for the suffering caused, and to recognise how that history still shapes the world today.
Why it matters
The issue touches many Indians through shared history and through the Indian diaspora in the Caribbean and the UK. A formal apology would be a major statement from the British government. A rejection of reparations means the financial demand that Caribbean leaders have pressed for is not on the table for now.
What others say
Al Jazeera frames the stance as a clash with longstanding Caribbean demands for reparations. The BBC and NDTV focus more on Burnham's own words about sorrow and regret.
What we don't know yet
The sources do not say when or how an apology would be made, or what form it would take.
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