No UK apology over slavery at Commonwealth

Image source, PA Media Sean Coughlan Royal correspondent Published 18 October 2024, 17:57 BST Updated 3 hours ago The government has said there will not be an apology over Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade, when King Charles and Sir Keir Starmer visit the Commonwealth summit in Samoa next week. A Downing Street spokesperson had already ruled out financial reparations. Last year, the King spoke of his “greatest sorrow and regret” at the “wrongdoings” of the colonial era on a visit to Kenya, but stopped short of an apology, which would have depended on the agreement of ministers. The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, to be held in Samoa on 25 and 26 October, will bring together the leaders of 56 countries. History of slavery continues to haunt British royals Published 28 October 2023 Slavery apology should be Labour policy, MPs say Published 23 October 2023 King and Queen greeted by light show on Australia tour Published 8 hours ago Even if the issue of historic links to slavery is raised at the summit, the UK government has told the BBC there are no plans for a symbolic apology. There had already been a rejection of reparations over slavery,...