Sir Keir Starmer has downplayed the prominence of reparations for slavery being addressed at a Commonwealth summit, saying “none of the discussions have been about money”.
The prime minister, who is in Samoa for the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm), has been facing mounting pressure from leaders of Caribbean nations who want the UK to consider paying reparations for the impact of the transatlantic slave trade.
They are seeking a formal apology from the countries responsible for the historic slavery.
Sir Keir had already rejected the calls ahead of the meeting, saying it would lead to “very long, endless discussions” about the past.
The UK government has repeatedly ruled out offering reparations or an apology for the country’s historical involvement in the trade.
But after an eight-hour meeting, the 56 Commonwealth leaders have included a call for a discussion on reparations in the Chogm’s communique.
A paragraph included in the 16-page document says the heads “noted calls for discussions on reparatory justice” with regards to slavery and “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity”.
Speaking at a news conference on Saturday, Sir Keir started by repeating earlier comments in which he called the slave trade “abhorrent”.
“We’ve actually had a very positive two days here in Samoa,” he continued, saying the communique’s dominant themes were “resilience and climate”.
“So I think that gives you a clear sense of the absolute priority here,” he said. “And that’s not surprising. You’ve spent some time here. You’ll see just how vulnerable this island and similar islands are, to climate change. It is of paramount importance.”
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The PM at the Chogm gathering. Pic: Reuters
Sir Keir said there was “one paragraph in 20-something paragraphs” about reparations.
“There is… the paragraph in the communique about reparatory justice, which does two things,” he said.
“It notes calls for discussion, and it agrees that this is the time for conversation. But I should be really clear here: in the two days we’ve been here, none of the discussions have been about money.
“Our position is very, very clear in relation to that. And obviously, this is quite a long communique. It’s one paragraph, I think, in 20-something paragraphs, noting the call for discussion, agreeing a time for conversations.
“And that’s all that’s in the communique.”
He added the next discussions on reparations would be at the UK/Caribbean Forum next year, a foreign secretary level meeting.
Reparations are usually defined as payments made by a country for damage or losses caused to other nations or their people.
There are various estimates for what the UK would owe, but last year a report co-authored by a United Nations judge concluded the UK owed more than £18trn to 14 countries.