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To mark the 200th anniversary of the abolition of slavery, BBC London hosted a public debate in the historic heart of Docklands in East London. This area had once been a hub of the international slave trade, where thousands of African slaves were brought and sold.

The discussion panel, chaired by BBC London 94.9 presenter Eddie Nestor, was united on certain points. For example, many agreed that the legacy of slavery was an important factor in modern racism, and in the cultural and social divisions in British society.

However, the issue of reparations split the audience in different directions.

A legal dilemma

"I don’t see how a comprehensive case for reparations could ever be made that could successfully be pushed through any court," said Judith Edwards, a lawyer and active member of the Conservative Party.

She mentioned that a legal case would find it difficult to trace descendants of slaves and gauge the level of damages they had suffered in the 200 years since slavery was abolished.

Members of the audience suggested said that reparation payments could take the form of social aid to improve education and employment in the British black community.

Others said that trade barriers with African and Caribbean nations could be reduced, as a gesture to compensate for the detriment of labour and resources during the slave trade.

'Sorrow' but not 'Sorry'

In November 2006, Tony Blair expressed "deep sorrow" for Britain’s role in the slave trade. It was an unprecedented step for a Western leader, but fell short of a full apology or an offer of reparations.

Many at the BBC slavery debate said that the Prime Minister should formally apologise to Africa, the Caribbean and the British black community.

For about a century and a half towards the late 1600s, the English were the main slave carriers in Europe, responsible for at least 11,000 slaving voyages, which carried approximately 3.3 million enslaved Africans across the Atlantic.

Lawyer, Shaun Wallace, said: "It’s important to see whether or not reparations can really deliver justice and put us back in the position we were in before we suffered slavery."

To watch Angela Saini's report about the slavery debate at the Museum in Docklands click on the link at the top right of this page. You can also listen to the radio debate chaired by BBC London 94.9's Eddie Nestor

angela.saini@bbc.co.uk