Peaceful protesters ‘are helping to change the country’ says Chancellor
Minister brands clashes and vandalism ‘shameful’
CHANCELLOR RISHI Sunak has promised peaceful anti-racism protesters that although their progress feels slow they are helping to make a permanent change.
The Richmond MP spoke out after a weekend of demonstrations across the UK as part of the Black Lives Matter movement, and acknowledged that as a British Asian “of course” he knows racism still exists here.
Mr Sunak condemned the “small minority” who committed acts of violence and vandalism, after police officers were injured and statues were vandalised. But he also acknowledged the anger and frustration of people who “want to see, and feel, change”.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson and Home Secretary Priti Patel both said the demonstrations had been “subverted by thuggery”.
Mr Sunak said: “As a British Asian of course I know that racism exists in this country. And I know people are angry and frustrated. They want to see, and feel, change. But a better society
doesn’t happen overnight – like all great acts of creation, it happens slowly and depends on the cooperation of each of us toward that common goal.
“The truth is we have created a country far more inclusive and fairer than at any point in its history. Does this mean our story is over? No, but we shouldn’t ignore the hard work of the many generations who came before us.”
THE HOME Secretary has condemned the actions of anti-racism protesters who clashed with police and tore down a statue of a slave trader as “shameful”, warning: “You will face justice.”
Priti Patel told the Commons more than 137,500 people have attended Black Lives Matter protests across the UK, with around 200 demonstrations over the weekend sparked by the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis.
On Sunday, graffiti was scrawled on the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, a protester tried to light a flag at the Cenotaph, and in Bristol the bronze memorial to slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and dumped into the harbour.
Some 35 Metropolitan Police officers were injured, with two needing hospital treatment – one suffered a head wound and the second a shoulder injury after being hit by a bottle. It came after earlier violence in the capital saw 14 hurt on Saturday, including a mounted officer seen to fall from her horse, and 13 last week.
Making a statement to MPs yesterday, Ms Patel said Covid-19 restrictions made protesting in large numbers “illegal” and urged
people not to attend. She said: “As the ugly tally of officer assaults show, some protesters regrettably turned to violence and abusive behaviour at the weekend. This hooliganism is utterly indefensible. There is no justification for it.
“There is no excuse for pelting flares at brave officers, throwing bikes at police horses, attempting to disrespect the Cenotaph or vandalising the statue of Winston
Churchill, one of the greatest protectors of our freedoms who has ever lived.
“It’s not for mobs to tear down statues and cause criminal damage in our streets, and it is not acceptable for thugs to racially abuse black police officers for doing their jobs.”
The Home Secretary said 135 people had been arrested by yesterday morning, adding: “To the police who have been subject to the most dreadful abuse, you have my full backing as you act proportionately, fairly and courageously to maintain law and order.
“To the criminal minority who have subverted this cause with their thuggery, I simply say this – your behaviour is shameful and you will face justice.”
Ms Patel told how she was called a “Paki” in the playground and advised to “drop her surname” when challenged over the Government’s record on racism.
The Home Secretary recited examples of racist abuse she has personally received and warned she will “not take lectures” from others when it comes to racism.
But Ms Patel was accused by Labour’s Nadia Whittome of using “her identity as an Asian person to silence” a black MP who had raised questions about Government policy.
Florence Eshalomi, Labour MP for Vauxhall, called on Ms Patel to “act now” to resolve the “structural inequality, discrimination and racism” in the UK.
This hooliganism is utterly indefensible.
Home Secretary Priti Patel.