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THE AFRICAN HOLOCAUST
Slavery was a "shameful enterprise" -Tony Blair
whilst London mayor is sorry for slavery
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THE UK's role in the slave trade is a matter of "deep sorrow and regret", Prime Minister Tony Blair has said.
In a statement marking the anniversary of the British act abolishing the slave trade, the PM said it was among history's most "shameful enterprises".
He added the same dedication that led to abolition was needed to tackle the "many forms" of modern day slavery.
It comes as the Archbishop of York has called on the UK to formally apologise for its role in the slave trade.
Mr Blair's comments were heard in a video message at a commemorative ceremony that took place at Elmina Castle in Ghana, built by the Portuguese in 1492, which later became sub-Saharan Africa's first permanent transatlantic slave trading post.
It was also relayed to giant screens at events taking place in the UK and around the former British Empire.
The statement appeared to fall short of demands from campaigners who say he has not gone far enough.
But a Downing Street spokesperson said: "The Prime Minister has made a very strong statement emphasising the inhumanity of the slave trade....
"We recognise that there are some who want a further statement but we believe that we must now look to the future.
"To the legacy for Africa and the fight against poverty and disease, to addressing inequalities in Britain today, and to combating the evil of contemporary slavery like human trafficking."
'Now forgotten'
In the statement, Mr Blair said: "It is right that this anniversary is being marked today here in Ghana's Elmina Castle, the scene of such inhuman abuse, and in cities across the UK - in Liverpool, Hull, Bristol and London which played their part in this deplorable trade.
"It is an opportunity for the United Kingdom to express our deep sorrow and regret for our nation's role in the slave trade and for the unbearable suffering, individually and collectively, it caused."
He also paid tribute to the "courage and conviction" of those who campaigned to end the "vile trade" including former slave Olaudah Equiano, church leader Thomas Clarkson and MP William Wilberforce.
Mr Blair said there were also countless men and women, "now forgotten by history, black and white, from across Africa, including Ghana, from Britain and many other countries" whose efforts should be recognised.
He went on to describe forced recruitment of child soldiers, human trafficking and bonded labour as modern forms of slavery.
"We must remember as well that poverty, social exclusion and conflict is at the root of this cruelty," he added.
"There is a great deal more to do. But in recent years, we have also seen great progress."
In another development, Mayor Ken Livingstone has formally apologised for London's role in the slave trade.
He called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to follow suit by issuing an official apology on behalf of the UK.
"The government's refusal of such an apology is squalid," he said, on the eve of the bicentenary of legislation to abolish the slave trade.
Mr Livingstone urged fellow Londoners to join him in apologising for this "monstrous crime".
He said France, the US state of Virginia, the city of Liverpool, and the Church of England had formally apologised over slavery. "It will be infinitely better for our country's reputation if that apology is made now justly, frankly and openly," he said, and added: "Delay demeans our country."
Mr Blair has previously expressed "deep sorrow" for Britain's role in the slave trade, a Downing Street spokesman said.
In an article for the New Nation newspaper in November 2006, he said it had been "profoundly shameful". But Mr Blair stopped short of issuing a full apology, which some commentators have demanded.
Simon Woolley, the director of Operation Black Vote, said the mayor had made a "bold but undeniable statement". "By apologising, we begin the process of reconciliation and addressing the legacy of this gross act of inhumanity," he said.
"It is important because the legacy of slavery remains with many black people on a daily basis."
The Bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery Act, which banned slavery in the British Empire, fell on 25 March.
This year marks the 200th anniversary of Britain's abolition of the slave trade.
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