Commonwealth leaders, ending a week-long summit in Samoa, said on Saturday the time had come for a discussion on whether Britain should commit to reparations for its role in the transatlantic slave trade.

The Commonwealth's 56 members agreed the "time has come" for talks about the legacy of the "abhorrent" transatlantic slave trade Saturday, in a landmark summit declaration that raised the prospect of future reparations.

The UK agreed to hold talks about its historical involvement in the slave trade in a joint statement with other Commonwealth leaders in Samoa, but continued to rule out the prospect of financial reparations.

Sir Keir Starmer has downplayed the prominence of reparations for slavery being addressed at a Commonwealth summit, saying "none of the discussions have been about money".