Jackson calls for slavery apology

Jesse Jackson is on a week-long tour of the UK

US civil rights activist Jesse Jackson has called on Britain to apologise and make reparations for its role in the slave trade.

During a visit to Bristol, the Rev Jackson, 65, said he was disappointed that British cities had not apologised.

Speaking at the Empire and Commonwealth Museum, the Rev Jackson said: "There must be some place to apologise for the wrong in a moral sense."

Bristol has never formally apologised for its links to slavery.

In 1982, however, the former Bishop Of Clifton, Mervyn Alexander asked forgiveness for the human misery caused by the trade

"It does not surprise me but it disappoints me that there has been no apology," said the Rev Jackson.

Operation Black Vote said the Economics of Colour event in the city had celebrated the "political dynamism" of the city's black and minority ethnic communities.

More than 500 supporters rose to their feet as the Rev Jackson took to the stage.

Mr Jackson will also visit Birmingham, Leicester, Nottingham, Liverpool, Manchester, Sheffield and Bradford during his week-long tour.