In response to Commonwealth leaders' calls for negotiations on the UK's historical role in the slave trade, a minister has stated that the country "does not pay reparations." After the UK failed to include reparations wording in a joint statement signed by participating nations at a significant Commonwealth conference, Members of Parliament questioned Foreign Office Minister Anneliese Dodds about the Government's position. The final statement signed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Samoa stated that they "agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful, and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity" and acknowledged calls for a discussion on the issue.

Foreign Office minister Anneliese Dodds was pressed by MPs about the Government’s stance after the UK failed to keep language on reparations out of a joint statement signed by attending nations at a major Commonwealth summit.

The final communique signed at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (Chogm) in Samoa acknowledged calls for a discussion on the matter and said they “agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity”.The UK does not pay reparations and I really could not say that more emphatically

Speaking in the House of Commons, shadow Foreign Office minister Dame Harriett Baldwin said of the communique: “It implies the UK’s openness to reparatory justice in relation to the abhorrent slave trade.

“It seems that this issue is not as off-limits as the Prime Minister had previously stated.

“So what is the Government’s actual red line on reparations given the Foreign Secretary’s (David Lammy) well-known past views on the topic, or is this another example of saying one thing in opposition but another in government?”

Ms Dodds said the UK Government prioritised economic development and action on the climate and nature “crisis”.

She also said: “Just to be absolutely crystal clear on this, of course, everyone in this House I’m sure would agree that the slave trade was abhorrent and we condemn it, just as previous Labour governments have done.