Sir Keir Starmer has downplayed the importance of addressing slavery reparations at the Commonwealth summit, saying “none of the discussions were about money”.

Prime Minister in Samoa commonwealth The meeting of heads of government (Chogm) is facing growing pressure from leaders of Caribbean nations who want Britain to consider paying compensation for the effects of the transatlantic slave trade.

They expect an official apology from the countries responsible for historical slavery.

Sir Keir already He rejected pre-meeting callshe said this would lead to “very long, endless debates” about the past.

The UK government has repeatedly rejected offers of compensation or apology for the country’s historical role in the trade.

But after an eight-hour meeting, 56 Commonwealth leaders added a call for discussion on reparations to Chogm’s declaration.

A paragraph in the 16-page document says the presidents “noted calls for discussion on restorative justice” on slavery and “agreed that it was time for a meaningful, truthful and respectful conversation about building a shared future based on equality.” .

Speaking at a press conference on Saturday, Sir Keir began by repeating previous comments in which he described the slave trade as “disgusting”.

“We actually had two very positive days here in Samoa,” he continued, saying the dominant themes of the communiqué were “resilience and climate.”

“So I think that gives you a clear sense of the absolute priority here,” he said. “And that’s not surprising. You’ve spent some time here. You’ll see how vulnerable this island and similar islands are to climate change. That’s of huge importance.”

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Sir Keir said there was “one paragraph in 20-odd paragraphs” on reparations.

“There’s a paragraph in the communiqué … about restorative justice, and it does two things,” he said.

“He takes note of the calls for discussion and acknowledges that it’s time to talk. But I have to be really clear here that none of the discussions during the two days we were here were about money.”

“Our position on this is very, very clear. And frankly, it’s a pretty long statement. I think it’s about 20 paragraphs, calling for discussion, agreeing on a time for conversations.

“And that’s all that’s in the communiqué.”

He added that the next discussion on reparations would be held at next year’s UK/Caribbean Forum at foreign ministerial level.

Reparations are generally defined as payments made by a country for damage or loss caused to other nations or their people.

There are various estimates of how much debt the UK will owe, but last year a report co-authored by a United Nations judge concluded the UK owed more than £18 trillion to 14 countries.