By Ben Kerrigan-
Boris Johnson says it is “absurd and shameful” that the statue of Sir Winston Churchill was “at risk of attack” from protesters.
Threats of further protests this weekend, partly intended to target the statute of Winston Churchill has led to effective safeguards around the statute
A protective box has been erected around the statue Churchill in Parliament Square, while scaffolding and boards have been put up around the Cenotaph after the monuments were targeted last weekend.
In a long Twitter thread posted on Friday, the prime minister added: “We cannot now try to edit or censor our past.”
The protests, sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, saw some clashes between protesters and police in London, while in Bristol a statue of Edward Colston was pulled down and dumped in the harbour
Johnson added that the “only responsible action” was to stay away from planned protests this weekend.
“As for the planned demonstrations, we all understand the legitimate feelings of outrage at what happened in Minnesota and the legitimate desire to protest against discrimination,” he added.
“Whatever progress this country has made in fighting racism – and it has been huge – we all recognise that there is much more work to do.
“But it is clear that the protests have been sadly hijacked by extremists intent on violence. The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent.
“The only responsible course of action is to stay away from these protests.”
The prime minister’s warning comes after Black Lives Matter (BLM) organisers cancelled a protest in London’s Hyde Park over fears it would be hijacked by far-right groups.
London mayor Sadiq Khan has pleaded with the public to stay at home ahead of plans for further protests in London by far-right groups which “advocate hatred and division”, could lead to violence and disorder.