Southwark Council is doing an audit of its statues and street names to identify any links with slavery and “our colonial past”. 

Some statues have already been removed across the UK in the wake of George Floyd’s death at the hands of the US police, and the worldwide protests that followed.   

Southwark leader Councillor Peter John said the review, to be led by Cllr Johnson Situ, cabinet member for growth and planning, was a response to “the killing of George Floyd and the injustice and racism experienced by our BAME communities”.  

He said it will include: “An anti-racist audit of the borough to identify statues and street names that do not reflect our borough’s diversity, especially anything with links to slavery or our country’s colonial past, and to identify positive opportunities for the celebration of more diverse figures.  

“A listening exercise with communities across the borough, partner organisations, and our staff, to hear their concerns, and identify solutions to address entrenched and persistent racism and injustice.  

“A call to all businesses and organisations in the borough to work with us to implement these solutions, taking positive action to ensure equality of opportunity.”  

Cllr Situ is expected to come back with an update on the review towards the end of summer, but between now and then the council will share details of how the community can get involved. 

Mr Floyd died after police officer Derek Chauvin knelt on his neck for nine minutes, including nearly three minutes when Mr Floyd was unresponsive.   

Chauvin was fired and charged with second-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter, while three officers who were also there were fired and charged with aiding and abetting second-degree murder, and aiding and abetting second-degree manslaughter.  

Anti-racism protesters in Bristol pulled down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston last Sunday (June 7). 

Black Lives Matter activists have made of a list of 75 UK statues they wish to target.   

Sadiq Khan announced a review of all of London’s statues and street names, saying any with links to slavery “should be taken down”.  

A statue of slaveholder Robert Milligan has been removed from outside the Museum of London Docklands.  

Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospitals in London announced they would remove two statues linked to Britain’s slave trade, Robert Clayton in Lambeth and Thomas Guy in Southwark.  

Thomas Guy, who founded Guy’s Hospital in the 18th century, had shares in the South Sea Company which was involved in the slave trade.