Antigua and Barbuda PM calls on Burnham to offer reparations

The Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda has called on Prime Minister Andy Burnham to go further than slavery apology talks with Commonwealth nations and offer reparations.

Gaston Browne told ITV News if there was no compensation for the UK’s role in the transatlantic slave trade there could be a repeat of “atrocities” sometime in the future.

The King is Antigua’s head of state but Mr Browne reiterated his view that an Antiguan should replace the British monarch in the role.

The King shakes hands with Prime Minister of Antigua and Barbuda Gaston Browne in St John’s, Antigua (Chris Jackson/PA)

PA Wire

Charles arrived in the Caribbean nation on Friday ahead of his opening of a Commonwealth summit on Tuesday, hosted by Antigua and expected to be dominated by talks about the issue of slavery.

Within an hour of the King and the Prime Minister attending a Sunday church service celebrating the Commonwealth, Mr Browne told ITV News: “I understand the politics in the UK, in which it may be a difficult proposition for him to agree to any form of reparations, but that just does not negate the need for reparations.

“If there’s no compensation, there’s likely to be a repeat of those atrocities sometime in the future, and you can see what is happening globally already.”

Mr Browne’s views echo those of fellow Caribbean leaders, with St Lucia’s Prime Minister Philip J Pierre, chairman of the 15-member Caribbean Community (Caricom), reportedly saying the Caribbean-based economic and political bloc was “ready to engage” in the structured dialogue Mr Burnham offered.

“No British prime minister has gone this far before… we are ready to engage,” he wrote.

But he added: “A dialogue that begins by placing reparations outside the room cannot be a complete dialogue.”

Mr Burnham has offered “structured dialogue” with those affected by the transatlantic slave trade and expressed “my sorrow and regret for the pain and suffering of so many millions” but has ruled out considering financial reparations.

Mr Browne said the Caribbean nations were not “coming for Britain”, suggesting money could be found in Britain’s overseas development budget.

The King and Queen alongside Lady Sandra Williams and Sir Viv Richards at a Sunday church service at St John’s Pentecostal House of Restoration in St John’s, Antigua (Chris Jackson/PA)

PA Wire

Charles is making a nine-day tour of the Caribbean, and when he arrived in the Bahamas on Tuesday, his first leg, the King acknowledged the “great suffering of the past” and confirmed the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) would discuss the legacy of slavery.

Antigua’s prime minister said he had great respect for the King but spoke of his nation becoming a republic.

He told ITV News: “I can say to you, I am a republican.

“So if you asked me about my personal view, I would like to see Antigua and Barbuda become a republic… but I have to recognise and accept the fact that there are certain constitutional provisions to become a republic, and that, ultimately, it is the decision of the people to determine whether or not we become a republic.”