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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| London mayor 'sorry' for slavery | London mayor 'sorry' for slavery |
| (10 minutes later) | |
| Mayor Ken Livingstone has formally apologised for London's role in the slave trade. | 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 country. | He called on Prime Minister Tony Blair to follow suit by issuing an official apology on behalf of the country. |
| "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. | "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". | Mr Livingstone urged fellow Londoners to join him in apologising for this "monstrous crime". |
| He said France, the US state of Virginia, Liverpool, and the Church of England have formally apologised over slavery. | He said France, the US state of Virginia, Liverpool, and the Church of England have 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. "Delay demeans our country." | "It will be infinitely better for our country's reputation if that apology is made now justly, frankly and openly," he said. "Delay demeans our country." |
| The Bicentenary of the Abolition of Slavery Act, which banned slavery in the British Empire, is on 25 March. |