Review to begin into Kirklees statues and monuments

It follows the toppling in Bristol of a statue of an 18th century slave trader by protesters.

Councillor Shabir Pandor said action could follow expressions of solidarity with those highlighting racial inequality.

A bronze statue of Edward Colston, a slave trader and later MP, was torn from its plinth and dumped in Bristol’s floating harbour during an anti-racism protest on June 7.

It was described as “a criminal act” by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

It has led to questions over the future of other statues and monuments deemed inappropriate and whether they should be removed.

Councils across the country have now begun the process of removing or reviewing statues and street names linked to the slave trade.

In London a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan was removed at West India Docks.

The Local Democracy Reporting Service asked Kirklees Council whether it was considering the future of any of its various statues and/or monuments in the light of the Colston incident.

Coun Pandor responded: “We have expressed our solidarity with everyone who is peacefully protesting against inequality and injustice across the world.

“But it’s action that will make the difference in the long run.

“My Cabinet colleagues and I understand our responsibilities in this and we will be saying more about how the council will be tackling inequality in Kirklees so that, one day, we won’t have to protest anymore.

“Along with Labour leaders up and down the country I have committed to reviewing all our monuments and landmarks.”

Coun Pandor did not say whether the council would review any of the borough’s street names, such as Kaffir Road in Edgerton.