Miliband criticises Blair’s slavery statement and defends Burnham’s plan for proper apology – UK politics live
Summary
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband defended Andy Burnham’s plan to begin talks with Commonwealth countries about a formal apology for slavery. Miliband criticized Tony Blair’s 2006 statement as an apology that expressed sorrow but stopped short of a formal apology. Burnham said the Commonwealth was especially important amid volatile global conditions.Key Facts
- Burnham met Antigua and Barbuda Prime Minister Gaston Browne on the sidelines of the Commonwealth heads of government meeting in Antigua.
- A No 10 readout said Burnham described the Commonwealth as “more important today than ever before.”
- Burnham has proposed a structured dialogue with Commonwealth countries about the wording of an apology for slavery.
- Miliband told the BBC’s Newscast podcast that people had felt the issue was being swept under the carpet.
- Miliband described Blair’s 2006 statement as a “sorry not sorry” approach.
- Blair called the slave trade “profoundly shameful” and expressed “deep sorrow,” but did not formally apologize.
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