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The controversial statue of a famous British slave trader torn down by Black Lives Matter protesters would not necessarily be reinstated, the official cultural watchdog Historic England said Monday.
The bronze statue of Edward Colston, erected in 1895 as a Grade II listed monument to commemorate his philanthropy, had long divided public opinion in the port city of Bristol with calls for it to be removed.
"We recognize that the statue was a symbol of injustice and a source of great pain for many people. Whilst we do not condone the unauthorized removal of a listed structure, we recognize and understand the emotion and the hurt that public historical commemoration can generate and we encourage Bristol City Council to engage in a city wide conversation about the future of the statue," said Historic England.
"We are here to offer guidance and support but believe the decision is best made at a local level - we do not believe it must be reinstated," it added.
Protesters pulled the statue down from its plinth on Sunday and threw it into a river, which was described by British government officials as an act of vandalism and criminal damage.
Meanwhile, a total of 27 police officers were hurt during anti-racism protests in London over the weekend, the Met Police has revealed. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said these demonstrations have been "subverted by thuggery".
"People have a right to protest peacefully while observing social distancing but they have no right to attack the police. These demonstrations have been subverted by thuggery - and they are a betrayal of the cause they purport to serve. Those responsible will be held to account," he said in Twitter.
