UK PM Andy Burnham open to a slavery apology but rules out reparations as Commonwealth leaders meet

Summary

UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is open to a formal apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade but not to reparations. His statement comes as Commonwealth nations meet in Antigua and Barbuda. ABC News reports that the UK's stance is shifting, while reparations remain off the table.

Timeline

1. Al Jazeera

   1 Nov 2026, 15:24 UTCSource ↗

   Al Jazeera reports that UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham is 'open' to a UK slavery apology but not to reparations, with the statement coming as Commonwealth nations meet in Antigua and Barbuda.

2. ABC News

   1 Nov 2026, 16:56 UTCSource ↗

   ABC News reports that Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed openness to formally apologizing for Britain's role in the trans-Atlantic slave trade, and that the UK's stance is shifting while reparations remain off the table.