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Sunak rebuffs Labour MP's call for slave trade apology

The prime minister has rejected a call to apologise for the UK’s role in the slave trade.

Labour MP Bell Ribeiro-Addy asked if Rishi Sunak would make a “full and meaningful apology for our country’s role in slavery and colonialism, and commit to reparatory justice”.

Mr Sunak said “no” - “trying to unpick out history" was "not the right way forward”. He said the focus should be on “making sure we have a society that is inclusive and tolerate of people from all backgrounds”, which the government was committed to doing.

26 April 2023

Prime Minister's Questions

Bell Ribeiro-Addy

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Angela Rayner at the dispatch box in the Commons at PMQs

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Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs in the Commons.

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Rishi Sunak wearing a blue suit and a grey tie, standing in the Commons

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Sir Keir Starmer at PMQs

Starmer thanks Sunak for hard work, commitment and decency

Kwame Daniels in front of the Telegraph building in Belfast. He is wearing thick-rimmed glasses, a green jacket, a red shirt and a ruck sack.

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Northern Ireland

Angela Rayner

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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, wears a blue suit and glasses, as he stands in the House of Commons. Angela Rayner and Rachel Reeves sit either side of him on the benches.

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Keir Starmer an PMQs

PMQs heats up as leaders clash over winter fuel payments

Prime Minister Keir Starmer

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Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer's first PMQs question from Sunak as prime minister

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer calls Sunak 'prime minister' in Commons slip-up

Men wearing ceremonial hats in Lords

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Sunak

Watch: Sunak apologises to former Tory MPs for election losses

Sir Keir Starmer in Downing Street

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Rishi Sunak outside 10 Downing Street

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Rishi Sunak outside Downing Street

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Anas Sarwar and Scottish Labour supporters

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Scotland Politics

Rishi Sunak speaking during constituency declaration in Richmond

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Composite picture of Starmer holding hands with wife and Sunak holding hands with wife

Watch party leaders casting their votes

Rishi Sunak

Sunak has 'absolutely not' given up on election result

Lindsay Hoyle dragged by both arms

Watch: Moment Speaker dragged to Commons chair

In a traditional part of the process, the successful candidate pretends to be reluctant to take up the role.

Correspondent Ben Chu

Quick take on Labour's energy plan

BBC Verify's Ben Chu on what to make of Labour’s plans to decarbonise UK electricity production.

Chris Mason and Mark Logan

Watch: Former Tory MP says he is backing Labour

The former Conservative MP for Bolton North East has told the BBC he now supports Labour.

Factory workers in Milton Keynes

Watch: Party leaders on the campaign trail

Political party leaders have been out and about campaigning ahead of the general election.

Keir Starmer

I want the highest quality candidates - Starmer

The Labour leader says he wants the "highest quality" candidates to put to the voters.

Carla Denyer

Greens launch campaign target of 'at least four' MPs

The Green Party of England and Wales launch their election campaign in Bristol.

Faiza Shaheen talking on BBC Newsnight

Labour candidate says she's been blocked from standing

Faiza Shaheen says she's was told she will not be Labour's candidate after allegedly liking antisemitic posts on X.

Rishi Sunak

Rishi Sunak tells Chris Mason: Yes, I am changing minds

The PM tells the BBC's political editor he is "thoroughly enjoying" himself out meeting voters in the election campaign.

Sir Keir Starmer wearing a suit and a brown tie

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The Labour leader says no decision has been taken to bar Diane Abbott.

Keir Starmer

Starmer pleased Rayner has been 'vindicated'

Labour's leader says he always had confidence in his deputy with the row over her council house sale.

Ed Davey falls from a paddle board

Going, going, gone: Ed Davey takes a dip in Windermere

The Liberal Democrats leader was paddle boarding on Lake Windermere in the Lake District.

Rishi Sunak

Watch: PM criticises Sir Keir Starmer's campaign speeches

The prime minister accused Labour's Sir Keir Starmer of "not having the courage" to tell voters about Labour ideas.

Nigel Farage

Labour and Tories are both 'social democrats', says Farage

Nigel Farage was speaking in Dover, as part of his campaign for Reform UK.

Sir Keir Starmer

Starmer asked if there's a 'lack of enthusiasm' for Labour

Labour leader Keir Starmer is pressed on whether there's a perceived lack of enthusiasm for his party.

Rachel Reeves

Reeves: No return to austerity under Labour

The shadow chancellor is quizzed on her economic plans should Labour win the general election.

Rishi Sunak

Sunak 'disappointed' smoking ban bill did not get through

The PM says he "stepped up to do something that is bold" over his bid to phase out smoking.

Craig Mackinlay MP

Watch: Limb loss MP on his return to Parliament

Craig Mackinlay says he was met by "a storm" of noise when he returned to the House of Commons

Rishi Sunak

Oops! Sunak asks if Welsh are looking forward to Euros

On a campaign trip, the PM asks voters if they will watch the football tournament, even though Wales did not qualify.

Richard Tice

Tories 'terrified' of Reform Party - Richard Tice

The Reform Party leader says Rishi Sunak "bottled it" over calling a surprise general election for July.

Sir Keir Starmer

A vote for Labour is a vote to stop the chaos - Starmer

On the first full day of election campaigning the Labour leader says "nothing will change" if the Conservatives get back into power on July 5.