UK's Burnham 'open' to slavery apology but not reparations British Prime Minister Andy Burnham has expressed his willingness to issue a formal apology for the country's historical involvement in the transatlantic slave trade. However, he has ruled out paying financial reparations to the descendants of slavery. In an opinion essay published in The Guardian, Burnham stated that Britain must "face up to the past" and acknowledge its role in the slave trade. He emphasized that the British people should not be held responsible for the suffering of the past, but rather focus on building a better future. Burnham's comments represent a significant shift in British policy, and could pave the way for King Charles III to apologize during his upcoming visit to former British colonies in the Caribbean. The king is scheduled to attend a meeting of the Commonwealth in Antigua and Barbuda on Tuesday, where he may use the opportunity to issue an apology. Burnham's stance on reparations has been met with skepticism by some, who had hoped for a more concrete commitment to making amends for Britain's historical wrongdoings.