Black Lives Matter: Boris Johnson says UK 'not a racist country'

Boris Johnson does not believe that the UK is a racist country, his official spokesman has said.

The comment came in the midst of ongoing Black Lives Matter demonstrations across the country, with some protesters drawing parallels between the death of George Floyd in the US and instances of racism in the UK.

Mr Johnson last night said that people have the right to “protest peacefully and while observing social distancing” but warned that the demonstrations had been “subverted by thuggery “.

His official spokesman made clear that the prime minister regards attacks on police officers during protests as “unacceptable” and sees the destruction of the statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol and vandalism of a memorial to Churchill in London as acts of criminal damage which should be investigated by police.

Asked if Mr Johnson agreed with protesters who described the UK as a racist country, the PM’s spokesman said: “No. The prime minister doesn’t doubt that there continues to be discrimination and racism, but he would not agree that this is a racist country.

“We have made significant progress on this issue but there remains more to do and we will not be complacent in our efforts to stamp out racism and discrimination where it happens.”

The spokesman said that when Mr Johnson denounced “thuggery” in a tweet on Sunday evening, “He was talking about the attacks which have taken place against police officers and police officers suffering injuries, and also acts of criminal damage”.

He added: “People have a right to protest and make their feelings known about injustices but people must protest peacefully and in accordance with the rules on social distancing.”

Asked whether further protests planned for this week should go ahead, the spokesman said that the Home Secretary Priti Patel had made clear that any which did not comply with the ban of gatherings of over six people were “not lawful”.

But he said it was a matter for the police to judge what action to take when confronted with large crowds, and said they always have to take into account issues such as the safety of officers.

On the issue of the toppling of the Colston statue – which was dumped into Bristol harbour by protesters who have long campaigned for its removal – the PM’s spokesman said: “The prime minister’s view is that in this country where there is strong opinion, there is a democratic process which should be followed.

“People can campaign for the removal of the statue but what happened yesterday was a criminal act and when the criminal law is broken, that is unacceptable and the police will want to hold to account those responsible.

“A crime was committed in removing the statue, an investigation is under way and the police will decide whether a prosecution is possible.”

The spokesman declined to say whether Mr Johnson would like to see the Colston statue returned to its former place.

Source: UK Politics - www.independent.co.uk