Tony Blair has condemned Britain's role in the transatlantic slave trade as a 'crime against humanity' and expressing 'deep sorrow' that it ever happened and is seeking to distance himself from the actions of the British Empire, nearly 200 years after the 1807 legislation that led to slavery's abolition.

The importance of this challenges the deniers who don't admit that the British Empire caused so much social, physical and psychological damage. Britain will now back a United Nations resolution by Caribbean countries to honour those who died at the hands of international slave traders.

Estimates vary that between 10 and 28 million Africans were sent to the Americas and sold into slavery between 1450 and the early 19th century. By then Britain was the dominant trader, transporting more than 300,000 slaves a year in shackles on disease-ridden boats.

John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister, is said to be the influence behind Tony Blairs decision along with anti-slavery campaigner William Wilberforce.