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Hind Al Soulia - Riyadh - LONDON — British Prime Minister Andy Burnham said he was open to issuing a formal state apology for Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade but ruled out financial reparations, arguing that people today should not be held financially responsible for historical injustices.
In an opinion article published by The Guardian ahead of next week's Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, Burnham expressed "sorrow and regret" over the suffering of millions of people subjected to slavery.
"The transatlantic slave trade was a brutal and barbaric violation of those people. They were denied their humanity," he wrote.
"They were separated from their families, treated as property and worked to their deaths. I want to express my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions of people, and to recognize the way it still shapes our world today."
Burnham, who is preparing to attend the Commonwealth summit in the Caribbean next week, said Britain would offer structured dialogue with affected countries and campaign groups.
"Listening to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state will form an important part of this process and I am open to them," he wrote.
Despite his willingness to consider an official apology, Burnham rejected demands for financial compensation over Britain's historical involvement in slavery.
"I do not believe that is the right answer," he wrote.
"I do not think that British people today can be held liable for historical wrongs, however heinous, which happened in a different age under different laws and in which they played no personal part."
Instead, Burnham announced an initiative aimed at restructuring the debt of the poorest Commonwealth countries.
The initiative would be led by former British Prime Minister Gordon Brown and is expected to involve international organizations.
Burnham noted that debt-servicing costs for these countries had reached their highest levels in more than 25 years.
According to figures he cited, more than 40% of the poorest Commonwealth countries now spend more on interest repayments than on health care.
"The Britain I believe in is confident, decent and brave," Burnham wrote.
"We led the world in abolishing slavery – and we can show leadership again today."
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