By Ben Kerrigan-
A statue of Sir Winston Churchill has shed its protective covering ahead of the French president’s visit to London.
Mr Macron is set to visit London on Thursday where he will meet Prime Minister Boris Johnson and attend an event with the Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwal.
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A spokesman for the Mayor of London said: “The covering around the Winston Churchill statue will be removed for the visit of President Macron to London.”
Mr Khan said the decision to protect the statues in Parliament Square was a “wise” precaution, fearing they could become a “flashpoint for violence” involving extreme far-right protesters
The memorial in Parliament Square was boarded up after being daubed with graffiti during a Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters, who wanted the statue removed, given claims the former British prime minister was a racist. Sir Winston Churchill made racists comments during his reign as prime minister in which he expressed hate for Indians whom he said have a ”beastly religion.
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However, Churchill’s many admirers have insisted the statue is an important part of history and have criticised black lives matters protesters as being excessive in their demands. Protesters say the statue is a kick in the teeth of minorities who were taken in as slaves during the slave trade.
Far right groups turned up to protests to guard the former prime minister’s statue which they say is an important part of history.
Last weekend far-right demonstrators clashed with officers near the Palace of Westminster and Trafalgar Square.
Other statues of leaders Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi were also covered up, but Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden said it “would not be a great look” for Churchill to be covered during Emmanuel Macron’s World War Two-inspired visit.
French President: Mr Macron Image: ABC News
Mr Macron’s visit on Thursday marks the 80th anniversary of General Charles de Gaulle’s appeal to the French population to resist the German occupation of France during the Second World War.
Mr Macron will be welcomed to London with a ceremonial Guard of Honour from The Coldstream Guards at Clarence House and a flypast by the RAF’s Red Arrows alongside their French counterparts, La Patrouille de France.
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