Rishi Sunak rejects call for Britain to apologise for slavery and pay reparations

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy said she was reflecting on the life of former Tottenham Mp Bernie Grant to requested an apology before his death

PRIME MINISTER Rishi Sunak has rejected a call for the government to formally apologise for Britain’s role in slavery.

During Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked the PM if he would be willing to make a “full and meaningful apology” for Britain’s historic role in slavery.

Mr Sunak said “no” and added “trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward.”

The PM also rejected idea of paying reparations.

The MP for Streatham was reflecting on the life of former Tottenham MP Bernie Grant – who was also the founder of the Africa Reparations Movement – when she put the questions to the PM.

Mr Grant had asked for an apology for Britain’s role in slavery in his last PMQ’s before he died in April 2000.

Ms Ribeiro-Addy said: “Since then, Prime Ministers and Heads of State have only ever expressed sorrow and deep regret.

“These are not sentiments that are befitting one of the greatest atrocities in human history.

“So I want to ask the Prime Minister today, if he will do what Bernie Grant asked for all those years ago, what I have asked, what countless others have asked since, and offer a full and meaningful apology for our country’s role in slavery and colonialism and commit to reparatory justice.”

The PM replied “no” and added time and effort should be put into building a more inclusive society for people of all backgrounds.

He said: “What I think our focus should now be on doing is, of course, understanding our history and all its parts, not running away from it, but right now making sure that we have a society which is inclusive and tolerant of people from all backgrounds.

“That is something we on this side of the House are committed to doing and will continue to deliver.

“But trying to unpick our history is not the right way forward and not something that we will focus our energies on.”

QUESTIONS: Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked the PM if he would be willing to make a “full and meaningful apology” for slavery.

Growing pressure

There is growing pressure on Britain to formally apologise for slavery after continuous calls for an apology and reparations from several Caribbean leaders.

This week, some of the descendants of Britain’s most richest slave owners said the British government should apologise for slavery.

The Heirs of Slavery group are also urging Britain begin long-requested talks on reconciliation and reparative justice for the descendants of the 3.1m enslaved African people transported across the Atlantic by Britain – as part of the Transatlantic Slave Trade.

In January, the Church of England apologised for its historical liked to the Transatlantic Slave Trave following a new report.

The church said £100 million of funding to be available over the next nine years to champion investment, research and engagement. 

Also this week, the the President of Portugal has said his country should apologise for its role in slavery.

Comments Form

2 Comments

  1. | Chaka Artwell

    Parliamentary Questions to the Prime Minister on Wednesday in the House of Parliament is pure pantomime for the highly paid Elected Member of Parliament to scream and shout in their political tribal groupings.

    Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked the Hindu Indian-heritage Prime Minister, if he would be willing to make a “full and meaningful apology” for Britain’s historic role in slavery.

    Labour’s Sir Tony Blair refused to apologise and offer reparation for England’s involvement in the enslaving of African people in 2001; at the UN Conference in South Africa.

    Sir Tony Blair instructed his African-heritage servant, Baroness Amos, to de-rail the South African U.N. Conference which also called for reparations.

    The Rt Hon Bell Ribeiro-Addy MP ought to be using her influence to question Labour’s long history of rank skin-colour prejudice; segregation and racism against it African-heritage members and supporters.

    “Diversity” is the road to political ruin.

    Reply

  2. | Mr.IC3Black

    The IC3 Black cannot trust an IC4 Asian to support Reparations. #ReparationNation #ReparationNews

    Reply

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