Black Lives Matter: Boris Johnson says people should 'focus less on symbols'

PM backs fans who sing ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ at rugby matches - but admits he does not know the words

Boris Johnson has suggested campaigners should focus less on symbols and statues in the wake of a series of anti-racism protests across the UK.

After weeks of protests by supporters of Black Lives Matter, the prime minister said that he wanted to focus on “the substance of the issue”.

He also backed fans who sing ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’ at rugby matches, even though he admitted he did not know the words to the song.

An Oxford college has become the latest institution to say it will remove a statute, this time of Cecil Rhodes, in reaction to the protests, sparked by the murder of George Floyd by police officers in America.

Campaigners said the statue of the controversial politician was a symbol of imperialism and racism.

Last week, Louise Richardson, the vice-chancellor of Oxford University, warned of what she suggested were the dangers of “hiding” the past.

Mr Johnson has said that removing statues would be “to lie about our history” but he understood how “emotive” statues and other symbols were.

He told Sky News: “I think what people need to do is focus less on the symbols of discrimination or whatever. There's all these issues that people are now raising to do with statues and songs and so on and I can see why they are very emotive, I understand that.

“But what I want to focus on is the substance of the issue. And yes, of course I see that Black Lives Matter.”

Mr Johnson said his government would address “all the issues” raised.

But he added: "We should be talking about success and about (how) young black kids are now doing, far, far better in some of the toughest subjects in schools.

“We've got more black and minority ethnic people going to university... than ever before”.

On a visit to a school to publicise the government’s plans for a ‘catch-up’ programme for pupils whose schoolwork has been affected by the coronavirus crisis, Mr Johnson also gave his views on the controversy over the unofficial rugby anthem ‘Swing Low, Sweet Chariot’.

Mr Johnson, who described himself as a rugby fan, said that he did not know all of the words.

He said that when he goes to watch rugby matches “nobody, as far as I understand it, seems to know the words”. But he added: “I certainly don’t think there should be any prohibition on singing that song”.

Elsewhere, the education secretary said the country should be "proud" of its history after being asked whether there should be greater focus in schools on Britain's role in the slave trade.

Speaking at the Downing Street daily briefing, Gavin Williamson said: "Our national curriculum covers the issue of the British Empire and the incredibly rich history this nation has.

"And it is absolutely vitally important, incredibly important, that when children are learning about our nation's history, they learn all aspects of it, both the good and the bad.

"But we mustn't forget that in this nation we have an incredibly rich history and we should be incredibly proud of our history because time and time and time again this country has made a difference and changed things for the better right around the world.

"We should as a nation be proud of that history and teach our children about it."