MPs push for clarity from Starmer on reparations for slave trade

Labour MPs have urged Keir Starmer to clarify his government's position on non-cash reparations for Britain's historical role in the slave trade, as No 10 says the issue is off the table.

- Aamna Mohdin

In the run-up to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm), the government said it would not be issuing an official state apology.

While travelling to the conference, which began in the Pacific island nation of Samoa yesterday, the prime minister told reporters he wanted to "look forward" rather than have "very long endless discussions about reparations on the past".

King Charles acknowledged "painful aspects" of Britain's past but sidestepped calls to directly address reparations for slavery, saying: "None of us can change the past, but we can commit to learning its lessons."

But despite the insistence from Downing Street that the issue was not on the agenda for the summit of 56 Commonwealth countries, leaders were prepared to defy the UK. A draft version of the final communique that was leaked to the BBC this week stated that leaders had "agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity".