Commonwealth leaders set to defy Keir Starmer over slavery reparations talks

Commonwealth leaders are set to defy Keir Starmer and agree plans to discuss reparations for the slave trade at a major summit.

As the PM jetted into a meeting of 56 countries in Samoa, No10 attempted to shut down talks on the issue and insisted it would not be on the agenda. But Frederick Mitchell, the minister of foreign affairs in the Bahamas, said that a “discussion needs to be had about the history” around reparations.

He told the BBC Caricom countries – a community of 15 member states and six associate members across the Americas and the Caribbean – “want the conversation to start about it”.

He added: “Many of the institutions in the UK have already conceded the point of apology, the British government isn’t quite there. But at this time, the discussion needs to be had about the history of this and the ill effects of what happened after slavery was abolished, which continue to affect our societies today.”

It was also reported on Thursday officials of Commonwealth nations are looking at an agreement that could begin conversations on the issue through a communique.

All 56 countries must agree to the wording of the joint statement, which will be put out on Saturday at the end of the summit. The UK is resisting calls for reference to reparations but the government is understood to be open minded to exploring support for tackling climate change and boosting trade.

A formal apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade is not believed to be on the table. The PM told reporters travelling to the summit there was “no question” that slavery was “abhorrent”. He added: “I think we should be facing forward. I’ve talked to a lot of our Commonwealth colleagues in the Commonwealth family and they’re facing real challenges on things like climate in the here and now.”

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy on Thursday said the the UK has heard calls for reparations “loud and clear” but the PM was right to “focus on the future”.