Burnham 'open' to apology for slavery but rules out reparations

Prime Minister Andy Burnham has said he is "open" to the UK formally apologising for its role in the transatlantic slave trade, but he has ruled out financial reparations. He made the remarks in a piece for the Guardian newspaper.

In the article, Burnham wrote: "I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, that happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part." He said financial reparations for slavery were "not the right answer".

Burnham said he wanted a "dialogue with those affected" and was open to "calls for an apology". He said Commonwealth countries had for years been asking for an "honest conversation", and that he wanted to offer a "structured dialogue".

Burnham also said: "Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process. I am open to them."

Chancellor John Healey told the BBC that Burnham was "open to a discussion" about an apology, calling it "the right thing, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth heads conference", a meeting of leaders from Commonwealth countries. Speaking to Laura Kuenssberg, Healey said Burnham does not think reparations are the right approach.

The BBC has reported that the British government has never formally apologised for slavery or offered to pay reparations. A number of Commonwealth leaders have repeatedly called for Britain to formally apologise for slavery.

The King is to address slavery during a Commonwealth speech.