Livingstone to fight on over Mandela statute
Ken Livingstone has vowed to continue his campaign to erect a stature of Nelson Mandela in Trafalgar Square.
In a meeting on Thursday night, Westminster Council rejected the application to place the statue of Mr Mandela on the north terrace of Trafalgar Square.
The council claim that the nine foot monument is not in keeping with the open atmosphere of the square and have suggested an alternative site opposite the South African embassy.
This is the second rejection for the statute after Westminster City Council’s public art advisory committee said that it was too big, and would be out of place in Trafalgar Square.
Mr Livingstone said that he would appeal the decision to the Deputy Prime Minister- who has ultimate jurisdiction over planning matters.
Speaking before the council’s decision the London Mayor said: “I am saying to Westminster councillors, let us put aside our differences on other issues and agree on one thing at least – that Nelson Mandela’s statue should be placed on Trafalgar Square as a symbol of our respect for this great leader and as a reflection of London’s status as a great world city.
“I gave a commitment in my manifesto, on which I have just been re-elected, that I would support the placing of a statue to Nelson Mandela in the square, and I am here at Westminster City Hall today to honour that commitment.”
“There is clear support for the statue across the world, recognising Mandela’s significance in world history. For a figure inextricably linked to the British people and in particular London, it is wholly appropriate that the statue of Nelson Mandela be placed in a prominent position in Trafalgar Square.”
The campaign has attracted a wide coalition of supporters including Lord Attenborough, Jesse Jackson, Robin Cook, Dave Prentis and Billy Hayes.
