Anti-racism activists are calling for statues of three historic figures on the facade of Deptford Town Hall to be torn down due to their links to slavery.

Topple the Racists, a Black Lives Matter supporting campaign, has included the statues of ‘slave pioneers’ Francis Drake, Robert Blake and Horatio Nelson on its list of 60 memorials that should be removed.

The naval figures have decorated the former municipal building, now owned by Goldsmiths University, since its opening in 1905.

A spokesperson for Topple the Racists said: “We believe these statues and other memorials to slave-owners and colonialists need to be removed so that Britain can finally face the truth about its past – and how it shapes our present.”

The group was inspired by the direct action of protestors in Bristol, who pulled down a statue of Edward Colston, a local figure who made his fortune in the slave trade.

Sir Francis Drake (c. 1540-1596) was a pioneer of the slave trade, who made multiple trips to West Africa, kidnapping and then selling Africans.

For this he received a knighthood from Queen Elizabeth in 1581, which he was granted on the Golden Hind in Deptford.

Robert Blake (1598 – 1657) was an admiral responsible for trafficking the first waves of enslaved people to and from the Caribbean, installing the plantation system.

He is also deemed responsible for massacres in Drogheda.

Horatio Nelson (1758 – 1805) was a naval officer who spent a large part of his career in the Caribbean, using his influence to argue against the abolitionist movement in Britain.

A Government minister today called for decisions over the future of controversial statues of historical figures to be taken democratically as pressure mounted on authorities to remove contentious monuments.

A statue of slave owner Robert Milligan was removed from London's Docklands on Tuesday evening with local authority approval. 

Labour-led councils across England and Wales have agreed to work with their local communities to look at the "appropriateness" of certain monuments and statues on public land and council property.

A spokesperson for Goldsmiths, University of London, said: “We fully recognise these statues represent violations and cause upset and anger for many people.

“The College will urgently work with our students, colleagues and local residents to help decide how we address the future of these figures.  

“We remain committed to our comprehensive action plan addressing issues of racial justice at Goldsmiths and improving the experiences of BME students and colleagues.”