Burnham open to formal UK apology for slave trade, rules out reparations

Burnham said he is open to a formal apology for Britain's role in the slave trade but ruled out financial reparations ahead of the Commonwealth summit.

• Burnham, in a Guardian article, expressed "sorrow and regret" for the pain caused by the slave trade and offered a "structured dialogue" with affected countries.
• He rejected reparations, saying British people today cannot be held liable for historical wrongs in which they played no personal part.
• Burnham announced a debt-restructuring drive for the poorest Commonwealth countries, to be led by former prime minister Gordon Brown.
• Barbados Prime Minister Mia Mottley welcomed the statement, while Repair Campaign founder Denis O'Brien called it disappointing and insufficient.