Statues linked to slave trade to go

LONDON: The City of London has approved the removal from its ceremonial Guildhall home of statues of two figures that symbolise the financial sector’s historic role in slavery.

The move is part of a wider debate over how Britain remembers and represents its history.

The corporation that runs the Square Mile financial district last year set up a task force on tackling racism, which recommended removing statues of William Beckford and John Cass from the medieval Guildhall.

‘‘The view of members was that removing and resiting statues linked to slavery is an important milestone in our journey towards a more inclusive and diverse city,’’ city politician Catherine McGuinness said.

Cass was a member of parliament and merchant in transatlantic slave trading during the early 1700s. Beckford was two times lord mayor of London in the 18th century and had plantations in Jamaica with slaves. — Reuters