Sir Keir Starmer has admitted that the "time has come" to discuss reparations for Britain's historic involvement in the "abhorrent" transatlantic slave trade, although he insisted that no discussions have been conducted around money.
Speaking at a press conference earlier this morning, the Prime Minister said that the Commonwealth's communique has focused on "resilience and climate" which is of "paramount importance".
Amidst the heated row over reparation payments, Starmer outlined the fuller picture of the communique, produced by Commonwealth countries, claiming that only one paragraph addresses the need to conduct conversations around "reparatory justice".
However, as the UK braces for Labour's Budget next week, he added: “None of the discussions have been about money. Our position is very, very clear in relation to that.”
As the UK braces for Labour's Budget next week, Keir Starmer has said that "none of the discussions" have revolved around money
REUTERS
In the single paragraph, the document noted calls for discussion, admitting that the time has come for "conversation" regarding the UK's role in slavery.
However, Starmer emphasised that the discussions were not focused on handing over cash - an issue which has divided the Labour Party since the Prime Minister's arrival in Samoa earlier this week.
He concluded that further discussions on the topic would be held at the UK-Caribbean Forum next year, which will be attended by foreign ministers.
The particular phrasing was settled following pressures from Commonwealth chiefs, while the Prime Minister repeatedly claimed that the issue was "not on the agenda" for the meeting.
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This announcement has conflicted with Starmer's previous insistence that he would be solely focused on "forward-facing" issues, such as climate change, rather than "long discussions" on the past.
As he flew into Samoa, he told reporters: "I'd rather roll up my sleeves and work with them on the current future-facing challenges than spend a lot of time on the past."
Responding to Starmer's previous stance on the issue of reparatory justice, Bahamian premier Philip Davis told Politico: "I don't want to comment on his views about looking forward or on the past, but I think knowing what the past is should inform your decision-making towards the future."
Starmer has also received criticism backlash from backbench Labour MPs, with Bell Ribeiro-Addy arguing: "I think the reason why they're not apologising is perhaps because of the liability".
David Lammy, while in Opposition, previously called for the UK to pay reparations to Caribbean countries in 2018
PA
Foreign Secretary David Lammy has attracted a substantial amount of criticism in recent weeks after his 2018 comments in favour of reparations resurfaced.
Responding to Lammy's 2018 comments, Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell said: "Starmer hand-picked Lammy to represent our country's interests on the world stage.
"He must have known that doing so would, given Lammy's long-standing support for reparations, prompt demands from other nations to cripple our economy,
"Starmer needs to decide, does he represent the UK's interests on the world stage, or not?"
