Wandsworth Council is erecting of London’s first black mayor, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Council has pledged an initial £10,000 for the tribute to John Archer, while the rest hoped to be funded by charitable donations.

Planned for 2020, the location is undisclosed but will be somewhere “high profile” in Battersea.  

Council leader Ravi Govindia launched the plan, in response to the community group Love Battersea, who called for a proper tribute to Mr Archer.

Mr Archer, who had both Irish and Barbadian heritage, moved to Battersea in the 1890s as a councillor in the Latchmere ward. He campaigned for social justice becoming mayor in 1913.

Conservative Cllr, Ravi Govindia said:     

“John Archer was a true pioneer and one of the earliest role models of black achievement in London. We are immensely proud that he represented our borough and our hope now is to ensure that his legacy lives on.

“With racial equality and justice still at the forefront of people’s minds, my view is that a high profile statue celebrating his achievements and honouring a man who paved the way for future generations of politicians from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, is one way we can show our support for what he stood for.

“We sincerely hope that the public will support this endeavour so that we can raise a permanent memorial to this famous son of Battersea and mark his achievements forever.”