Commonwealth heads of presidency are making ready to defy the UK and agree plans to inspect reparatory justice for the transatlantic slave industry, the BBC has realized.

Downing Side road insists the problem isn’t at the time table for the peak of 56 Commonwealth international locations, which starts within the Pacific island public of Samoa on Friday.

However diplomatic assets mentioned officers had been negotiating an contract to habits additional analysis and start a “meaningful conversation” about a subject which might probably drop the United Kingdom owing billions of kilos in reparations.

The tide textual content of the draft peak verbal exchange – made recognized to the BBC – says: “Heads, noting calls for discussions on reparatory justice with regard to the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel enslavement… agreed that the time has come for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation towards forging a common future based on equity.”

It says the heads of presidency would play games “an active role in bringing about such inclusive conversations addressing these harms” and that they correct “to prioritise and facilitate further and additional research on the transatlantic trade in enslaved Africans and chattel slavery that encourages and supports the conversations and informs a way forward”.

The textual content – which might nonetheless exchange as soon as Commonwealth leaders set in – has been hammered out through diplomats forward of the peak. British officers succeeded in blocking off a plan for a completely isolated declaration at the topic.

The United Kingdom didn’t need any language within the verbal exchange about reparatory justice, however on the generation it’s having to just accept it’ll come with 3 complete paragraphs environment out the Commonwealth’s crystal clear place.

Reparatory justice for slavery can are available in many modes, together with monetary reparations, debt holiday, an legit apology, tutorial programmes, development museums, financial backup, and community fitness aid.

Officers from Caricom, the frame that represents Caribbean international locations, have wanted to expand the problem in order that it encompasses no longer simply the slave industry around the Atlantic but in addition the Pacific.

The draft verbal exchange says a majority of member states “share common historical experiences in relation to this abhorrent trade, chattel enslavement, the debilitation and dispossession of indigenous people”.

It additionally refers immediately to practices referred to as “blackbirding”, the place Pacific islanders had been tricked or abducted into slave or affordable labour in colonies during the area.

Diplomats mentioned the expectancy now was once that reparatory justice can be a central focal point of the time table for the after Commonwealth peak in two years’ day within the Caribbean, in all probability Antigua and Barbuda.

Within the run as much as this hour’s peak, there were rising yells from Commonwealth leaders for the United Kingdom to apologise and produce reparations utility trillions of kilos for the rustic’s ancient function within the slave industry.

A document printed closing hour through the College of West Indies – sponsored through Patrick Robinson, a pass judgement on who sits at the World Courtroom of Justice – concluded the United Kingdom owed greater than £18tn in reparations for its function in slavery in 14 Caribbean international locations.

Ultimate weekend the high minister of the Bahamas, Philip Davis, old a discuss with through International Workplace minister Baroness Chapman to inform her the struggle for reparations was once some distance from over.

Consistent with the Bahamas govt web site, Mr Davis mentioned: “The call for reparations is not simply about financial compensation. It is not about financial compensation.

“It is about recognising the enduring impact of centuries of exploitation and ensuring that the legacy of slavery is addressed with honesty and integrity.

“As Caribbean nations, we stand united in our demand for justice for generations who came before us and those of us who are still living with that brutal history.”

A UK govt spokesperson mentioned they wouldn’t remark at the scatter to the BBC, however added: “Reparations are not on the agenda for the Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting. The government’s position has not changed – we do not pay reparations.

“We are focused on using the summit at [the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting] to discuss the shared opportunities which we can unlock across the Commonwealth – including securing more economic growth.”

It is understood the Downing Street position – that reparatory justice is not on the agenda – while technically correct, has angered some Caribbean ministers when it was obvious that the issue would be discussed at the summit.

It is one of many issues that are not technically on the agenda but will still be addressed and discussed.

Sir Keir Starmer landed in Samoa late on Wednesday UK time, becoming the first sitting prime minister to visit a Pacific island nation.

Speaking to reporters en route, he said he wanted to discuss current challenges with Commonwealth leaders, especially climate change, rather than issues of the past.

“What they’re most interested in is, can we help them working with, for example, international financial institutions on the sorts of packages they need right now in relation to the challenges they’re facing,” he said.

“That’s where I’m going to put my focus – rather than what will end up being very, very long endless discussions about reparations on the past.

“Of course, slavery is abhorrent to everybody; the trade and the practice, there’s no question about that. But I think from my point of view… I’d rather roll up my sleeves and work with them on the current future-facing challenges than spend a lot of time on the past.”

King Charles arrived in Samoa for a four-day visit on Wednesday and is due to formally open the summit.

On a visit to Kenya last year, the King expressed the “largest misery and feel sorry about” over the “wrongdoings” of the colonial era, but stopped short of issuing an apology, which would have required the agreement of ministers.

Some non-Caribbean countries are not unsympathetic towards the British position and want the summit to focus more on existing challenges – such as climate change, which is adversely affecting many Commonwealth countries, about half of whom are small island states.

But Caribbean countries seem determined to keep pressing the issue.

All 3 applicants hoping to be elected this weekend because the after secretary common of the Commonwealth – Shirley Botchwey of Ghana, Joshua Setipa of Lesotho and Mamadou Tangara of Gambia – have made sunlit they backup reparatory justice.