Britain will not pay billions of pounds in slavery reparations, the UK government announced, after a delegation from Jamaica submitted a petition seeking compensation for the nation's historic role in the transatlantic slave trade. The petition, lodged at Buckingham Palace, is part of a campaign seeking approximately £7.6 billion in reparations.
A Jamaican minister, Olivia Grange, stated that Britain's decision to compensate slave owners in 1833, which amounted to 40% of the Treasury's annual income at the time and took until 2015 to fully repay, creates a duty to pay reparations for past harm.
Downing Street acknowledged the "wrongs of the past" but maintained its stance against reparations. A spokesperson for the Prime Minister said, "Our position on reparations is clear. The UK does not and will not pay reparations. The transatlantic slave trade was abhorrent, and of course it's right that we acknowledge the wrongs of the past. But we continue to face forward and work with other countries on current shared challenges."
Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption dismissed the claim for a legal right to reparations, suggesting that campaigners see an opportunity due to perceived self-doubt and guilt within the UK. Conversely, Ms. Grange argued that the historical compensation paid to slave owners necessitates a present-day remedy.
The petition requests that King Charles refer to the Privy Council questions regarding the legality of African enslavement in Jamaica under English law, its violation of international law, and Britain's subsequent legal duty to provide redress. The King has the authority to refer legal matters to the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council for an advisory opinion, acting solely on the advice of relevant authorities.
The issue of reparations is expected to be a significant topic at the upcoming Commonwealth Heads of Government Summit in the Caribbean, which both King Charles and Andy Burnham are scheduled to attend. Several Labour MPs have publicly supported the campaign for reparations, emphasizing that it encompasses more than just financial compensation, aiming for repair, healing, and achieving true equality in areas like education and healthcare.