Zia Yusuf says it is "insane" that Burnham is considering apologising for slavery
Zia YusufReform UK home affairs spokesman
Yusuf says Britain did more than any other country to end slavery, and pledges that instead of apologising, Reform would stop issuing visas to nationals of countries that demand reparations.
“It’s insane that Burnham is considering apologising for slavery. Britain did MORE THAN ANY OTHER COUNTRY to end it.”
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
Yusuf's post on Burnham's openness to a formal apology, including his pledge on visas for nationals of countries that demand reparations.
Before the quotation
These are the opening lines of the post.
After the quotation
He cites the Slave Trade Act of 1807 and the West Africa Squadron, which he says "freed 150,000 slaves", and says that "instead of apologising, as Home Secretary I will stop issuing visas to nationals of any country demanding slavery reparations from Britain".
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. Yusuf calls Burnham's consideration of an apology "insane" and proposes refusing visas instead of apologising, so he opposes the position under review.
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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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The Dispute Index. "Zia Yusuf says it is "insane" that Burnham is considering apologising for slavery". First published: 2026-11-03. Last updated: 2026-11-03. https://disputeindex.com/events/7837-yusuf-says-britain-did-more-than-any-other