UK Government Rules Out Apology for Slavery at Commonwealth Summit

Despite calls for an apology and reparations, the UK government maintains its stance against addressing historical slavery at the upcoming Samoa summit.

• The UK government has confirmed that it will not issue an apology for its role in the transatlantic slave trade during the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Samoa.
• Both the King and Prime Minister Keir Starmer will attend the summit, with Starmer focusing on current Commonwealth challenges rather than historical issues.
• Labour MPs previously advocated for an apology and reparations, but the current government continues the previous administration's policy of non-apology.
• Caribbean nations are expected to raise the issue of reparations, with estimates for compensation ranging from £200bn to £13tn.
• The debate over Britain's historical role in slavery reflects a broader national conversation about identity and the interpretation of the country's past.

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