Britain faces fresh demands from Caribbean to pay slavery reparations despite No10 insisting it won’t hand over any cash

BRITAIN is facing fresh demands from the Caribbean to pay slavery reparations – despite Number Ten insisting it will not hand over any cash. Barbados PM Mia Mottley has this week been corralling neighbouring countries ahead of an ambush at the Commonwealth summit being hosted in Antigua. Barbados PM Mia Amor Mottley, pictured with then-Prince Charles, has been corralling neighbouring countries ahead of an ambush at the Commonwealth summit Credit: Getty Burnham is set to continue the UK’s long-standing position of rebuffing the reparation demands Credit: Getty At a meeting on Thursday they agreed to launch a bid to pursue the issue at November’s annual get-together. The Caribbean Community confirmed they were “preparing to advance reparations on the agenda of the upcoming 28th Commonwealth heads of government meeting.” Sign up for the Politics newsletter Thank you! Member countries have long demanded TRILLIONS from the United Kingdom as payback for the transatlantic slave trade. After participating in the vile practice, Britain went on to abolish slavery in the 19th century and fought to end it across the Empire. But Mr Burnham is set to continue the UK’s long-standing position of rebuffing the reparation demands. A Downing Street spokesman said last night: “The transatlantic slave trade was abhorrent. We fully recognise its horrific impacts and the ongoing strength of feeling it arouses. “The UK’s position is clear: we do not and will not pay reparations. “The UK is committed to continued dialogue with all our partners on legacies of the past. Most read in The Sun Yet the issue of slavery could make the summit uncomfortable for the King who is once again expected to attend. While dodging the issue of reparations, Charles acknowledged how “painful” the problems of the past were still felt by affected countries. Earlier this month Jamaica piled pressure on the monarch over cash payments as the country’s culture minister delivered a petition to Buckingham Palace. Mr Burnham could face similar lobbying when he attends the United Nations in New York next week. Reform’s Robert Jenrick said: “Reform are putting these countries on notice: if they persist we will suspend all visas. “The UK sacrificed thousands of lives and billions of pounds ending the slave trade. “We will not allow other countries to rewrite our history.” Comment now