Edward Colston: Tory councillor condemns toppling of 'hero' slave trader statue in Bristol

'Colston to me and generations of Bristolians stands out as a hero whose wealth has continued to benefit the housing, education and healthcare of the citizens of this city'

A Tory councillor has condemned the toppling of the statue of Edward Colston and described the 17th Century slave trader as a "hero" to many people.

Cllr Richard Eddy, a former Conservative leader on Bristol City Council, said he was horrified by the "rank lawlessness" of anti-racist protesters who tore down the bronze memorial and pushed it into the harbour on Sunday.

The removal of the statue has triggered a wave of controversy, with Boris Johnson warning that those involved would face legal repercussions.

Priti Patel, the home secretary, also reportedly demanded an explanation from Avon and Somerset chief constable Andy Marsh over why police officers did not prevent the removal of the monument.

However Marvin Rees, the elected mayor of Bristol, who has Jamaican heritage, said he felt "no sense of loss" over the destruction of the statue, which he described as a "personal affront".

Cllr Eddy, who resigned as deputy leader of the Conservative group in 2001 after using a golliwog doll as a mascot, expressed his support for Colston and condemned the "frenzied thug violence" of protesters.

“I am horrified and appalled by the rank lawlessness which was exposed in Bristol on Sunday when the famous statue of Edward Colston was attacked and vandalised by a criminal mob," he told The Bristol Post.

“Edward Colston to me and generations of Bristolians stands out as a hero whose wealth has continued to benefit the housing, education and healthcare of the citizens of this city."

He added: "Since this frenzied thug violence on Sunday, I have received a stream of outraged responses from constituents and others- more than I’ve even received in such a short time in my 28-year Council service.

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“I am equally outraged by the feeble comments, effectively condoning violence, of Mayor Marvin Rees and the pathetic hand-wringing of senior Avon and Somerset police officers. Over the coming days and weeks, both need to be held to account by Bristolians."

However reports suggest Cllr Eddy appeared to condone vandalism in 2018 when it was proposed that a second plaque be added to the statue to set out Colston's involvement in the transatlantic slave trade.

Describing the proposals for a new plaque as "nauseous", he said any attempts to "unilaterally remove it might be justified".

Cllr Eddy has been approached for further comment.

The removal of the Colston statue triggered fresh calls for the replacement of monuments to figures involved in the slave trade across the UK.

The leader of Edinburgh City Council, Adam McVey, said he would feel "no sense of loss" if a statue to a politician who frustrated the abolition of the slave trade was removed.

The monument to Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville, was vandalised during a Black Lives Matter protest in the Scottish capital on Sunday.

Huw Thomas, leader of Cardiff City Council, backed calls to take down a statue to Sir Thomas Picton from the city's civil building, whom he described as a "sadistic 19th century slave owner".

Long-standing calls to remove the statue of imperialist Cecil Rhodes from Oriel College, in Oxford, have also been reignited by widespread anti-racist protests.