The UK government has announced that it will not apologize for Britain’s involvement in the transatlantic slave trade during this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government (CHOGM) summit in Samoa, according to Downing Street.
On October 21, Downing Street stated that the government would not be providing reparations for slavery.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer continues to oppose an apology for the UK’s historical role in slavery, as confirmed by his office.
He is set to travel to Samoa this week for the biennial Commonwealth meeting, facing increasing pressure from Caribbean leaders to address reparations for the effects of the transatlantic slave trade.
Labour lawmakers have also urged the prime minister to respond to these calls during the summit in the Pacific nation.
However, Starmer’s official spokesman maintained that he would not be discussing reparations at the gathering.
“Reparation’s not on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting.
“The government’s position on this has not changed, we do not pay reparations. The prime minister’s attending this week’s summit to discuss shared challenges and opportunities faced by the Commonwealth including driving growth across our economies,” he said.
Asked again about an apology, the spokesman added. “the position on apology remains the same; we won’t be offering an apology at CHOGM.
“But we would continue to engage with partners on the issues as we work with them to tackle the pressing challenges of today and indeed for the future generations.”
