Suella Braverman calls a formal slavery apology "dangerous virtue-signalling"
Suella BravermanReform UK MP for Fareham and Waterlooville
Braverman says a formal apology could expose Britain to reparations costing millions or billions of pounds, and likens it to how what she calls the Chagos disaster began under the Conservatives.
Responding to
A formal British apology for the slave trade would be used as a lever to seek financial compensation from Britain.
“But to issue a formal apology today is dangerous virtue-signalling that could expose Britain to reparations costing us millions or even billions of pounds. This is very much how the Chagos disaster started under the Tories.”
Original post
Where this statement fits
Andy Burnham says he is open to a formal UK apology for slavery and rules out reparations; Conservative and Reform UK leaders object, and CARICOM calls for repair
In a Guardian article published on October 30, 2026, UK Prime Minister Andy Burnham expressed his "sorrow and regret" for the suffering caused by the transatlantic slave trade, offered a "structured dialogue" with those affected and said he was open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state. He wrote that he did not believe financial reparations were the right answer and proposed a drive to ease debt costs for the poorest countries. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch and Reform UK's Nigel Farage and Suella Braverman said Britain should not apologise, and Badenoch argued that an apology would be used to seek money. The chair of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), Saint Lucia Prime Minister Philip J. Pierre, welcomed the offer of dialogue but rejected Burnham's position on reparations. On November 2, Burnham's spokesperson said his expression of sorrow and regret was "distinct from a formal apology".
Source and context
Original post
About this source
Braverman quote-posts a Reuters post reporting that Burnham is open to a formal apology for slavery but rules out reparations.
Before the quotation
Braverman quote-posts a Reuters post reporting that Burnham is open to a formal apology for slavery but rules out reparations. She begins: "Slavery was abhorrent. Fact."
After the quotation
She says people living in Britain today should not pay for wrongs of centuries ago, points to Britain's role in ending slavery and what she describes as benefits of the British Empire, and says Burnham should "stand up for 21st century Brits".
How this statement is classified
The label describes this statement's response within the context above.
Why this label?
The reference point is Andy Burnham's position, set out on October 30, 2026, that he is open to calls for a formal apology on behalf of the British state for the transatlantic slave trade while ruling out financial reparations. Braverman says issuing a formal apology would be dangerous because it could lead to reparations, so she opposes the apology Burnham is open to.
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- Andy Burnham
More from this case
Read the full caseEd Miliband says the dialogue will consider whether and how a formal apology could help
“The dialogue we're setting up will consider whether and how a formal apology could help acknowledge the history, help heal the division and support stronger relationships for the future”Read statement
Bell Ribeiro-Addy says openness to an apology is not commitment
“He has said he is open to a formal state apology. But openness is not commitment. Until the government makes a full and unequivocal apology, that remains the obstacle to progress.”Read statement
John Healey says Andy Burnham is open to a discussion about an apology but not reparations
“The prime minister has said, look, we are open to a discussion about an apology. He feels that that’s the right thing, particularly ahead of the Commonwealth leaders’ conference”Read statement
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- Suella Braverman calls a formal slavery apology "dangerous virtue-signalling"
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The Dispute Index. "Suella Braverman calls a formal slavery apology "dangerous virtue-signalling"". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7821-braverman-says-a-formal-apology-could-expose-britain