UK Foreign Secretary Miliband says slavery apology won’t cost taxpayers
UK Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband says an apology for Britain’s role in the slave trade will not raise taxpayer costs and may improve Commonwealth ties.
POLICY WIRE — London, United Kingdom — Foreign Secretary Ed Miliband told the BBC that a formal apology for the United Kingdom’s involvement in the slave trade would not impose any additional financial burden on British taxpayers.
He emphasized that Britain cannot sweep its colonial past under the carpet and that acknowledging the injustice is a moral imperative.
Miliband expressed backing for Labour leader Andy Burnham’s call for an official apology as the prime minister considers the proposal.
In a video posted on the platform X, he suggested that a sincere acknowledgment could help the UK rebuild stronger relationships with Commonwealth nations.
The secretary highlighted that previous British governments consistently refused both an apology and any reparations, making the current discussion a significant departure from past policy.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
