Britain should not issue apology over slave trade, says Kemi Badenoch

Tory leader says apology would be ‘navel-gazing distraction’ and would be used as lever for financial compensation

Kemi Badenoch has said an apology for Britain’s role in the transatlantic slave trade would be a “navel-gazing distraction”, describing slavery as an evil “in which people from every continent and region participated”.

Speaking to broadcasters on Sunday, Badenoch also questioned whether it was worth future leaders attending the Commonwealth summit, given that it was now dominated by calls for reparations.

The Conservative leader made the comments as Andy Burnham said he was considering a formal apology, before he flies to the Commonwealth heads of government meeting (Chogm) in Antigua and Barbuda next week.