British Prime Minister Andy Burnsham has expressed openness to a formal apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade while rejecting financial reparations, ahead of the Commonwealth of Nations summit in Antigua and Barbuda. In an article published on October 30 in the Guardian magazine, Burnsham wrote, "I want to express my grief and sorrow," acknowledging the suffering of millions of enslaved Africans. ■ Referring to the demands for an official apology on behalf of the British state, Bren proposed a structured dialogue with affected countries, declaring: "I am open to them." However, Burn specifically said: "I don't think the British people today can be held responsible for historical injustices, however brutal, it happened in a different era under different laws and there was no personal part."

British Prime Minister Andy Burnsham has expressed openness to a formal apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade while rejecting financial reparations, ahead of the Commonwealth of Nations summit in Antigua and Barbuda. In an article published on October 30 in the Guardian magazine, Burnsham wrote, "I want to express my grief and sorrow," acknowledging the suffering of millions of enslaved Africans. ■ Referring to the demands for an official apology on behalf of the British state, Bren proposed a structured dialogue with affected countries, declaring: "I am open to them." However, Burn specifically said: "I don't think the British people today can be held responsible for historical injustices, however brutal, it happened in a different era under different laws and there was no personal part."