The issue of reparations – also called reparatory justice – has been a hot topic in international relations for decades. Put simply, it just means money or other assistance paid by one person, group or entity to another in order to make up for damage they caused.

Britain’s government and King Charles III are bracing for a heated conversation about reparations for the transatlantic slave trade, as the issue looks set to overshadow a summit of Commonwealth leaders in Samoa.

Robert Jenrick has piled in on the row after a Whitehall source suggested the PM could sign up to a pro-reparations communique.

Sir Keir Starmer has said he wants to focus on the future of the Commonwealth, after ruling out compensation for the UK's historical role in the slave trade. All three candidates to become the next head of the 56-nation organisation have called for reparations for countries that were affected by slavery.

Commonwealth leaders are reportedly preparing to defy the UK and agree plans to examine reparations for the transatlantic slave trade. It comes despite Downing Street’s insistence that the issue of reparations is not on the agenda for this week’s Commonwealth Heads of Government meeting (Chogm),

I've talked to a lot of our Commonwealth colleagues in the Commonwealth family and they're facing real challenges on things like climate in the here and now.'