Prime Minister Andy Burnham is preparing to issue a formal apology for Britain's historical involvement in the slave trade, diplomatic sources have indicated. The announcement comes as the UK commits an additional £40 million in aid to Caribbean countries.
While Downing Street has stated that the Prime Minister is ready to discuss a formal apology with affected nations, it has also emphasized that direct financial compensation for slavery will not be agreed upon. Instead, discussions with Caribbean leaders, including Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley, are expected to focus on potential support for debt restructuring and funding for climate change initiatives. Future foreign aid may also be directed towards education and health programs, aligning with demands from reparations campaigners.
The £40 million aid package, signed off by Burnham upon arrival in Antigua, is intended to "accelerate critical infrastructure investment in the Caribbean, including renewable energy." Although not directly tied to the slavery apology, the funding is viewed as a conciliatory gesture.
Prime Minister Mottley has previously suggested that Barbados alone is owed significant reparations for the past. However, the approach from the UK government, as articulated by Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband, is to focus on "meaningful, practical cooperation" rather than direct financial reparations, though he acknowledged a formal apology would be a "significant step."
The Prime Minister's travel arrangements to the Caribbean, which involved a diversion to pick him up from Manchester, have drawn criticism, with questions raised about taxpayer costs. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister defended the arrangements, citing security and operational requirements.
Burnham's potential apology follows a previous Commonwealth summit where the UK leader faced questions regarding slavery. He has expressed that the Commonwealth has the potential to be a "powerful force for good" by focusing on the future while remaining open to discussions about the past.