Badenoch accuses Burnham of pressing the King over slavery apology
Kemi Badenoch has accused Prime Minister Andy Burnham of putting pressure on King Charles over a formal apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade. She made the claim in an interview with Sky News. She said Burnham could "create pressure" if he did things that the Sovereign was not doing. Royal Central reported the remarks on 1 November.
The row began with the prime minister. On Saturday 31 October, Burnham said he was open to discussions about a formal apology from the British state for its part in the slave trade. He ruled out financial reparations, which are cash payments made to make up for past wrongs. He said he wanted to express "regret" for the UK's role. Yahoo News carried his comments the same day.
The King's part comes through a summit. Charles is due to open the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Antigua next week, and to address the legacy of the slave trade there. Buckingham Palace said he would speak about the "most shameful aspects of the past" with "unflinching honesty". The palace also said it would not comment on UK government policy.
Badenoch said the prime minister should focus on shared interests, security cooperation and economic partnerships at the summit. In her view, it should not be used for apologies and reparations. In a separate remark, she said the British Empire was "overall" a force for good, while criticising the idea of a formal slavery apology, as The Independent reported.
The Sun ran the story as an exclusive report and video. Its headline read "Andy Burnham piling pressure on King Charles, Kemi blasts". The pressure claim is Badenoch's, and the paper put it at the centre of its coverage.
Why does a government policy question reach the palace at all? The King acts on the advice of his ministers in most public matters, and the Commonwealth summit gives him a platform of his own. The palace has said he will speak about the past at that event. It has also said it will leave the government's position to ministers.
Burnham's comments and Badenoch's response are both on the public record.
