Black Lives Matter protesters tear down Bristol statue of 17th century slave trader and philanthropist Edward Colston, cover it in red paint and and throw it in dock - while huge crowds descend on in London where Churchill's statue is defaced

• Crowds have gathered across Britain as protests continue following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis
• Groups of demonstrators seemed to ignore social distancing measures in London, Bristol and Edinburgh   
• Protesters in Bristol have now torn down a controversial statue to 17th century slave trader Edward Colston
• Labour MPs voice their support for protesters via Twitter, while Sajid Javid declares 'This is not OK'  
• A statue of Winston Churchill has been defaced with the words 'was a racist' in Parliament Square, London 

By HENRY MARTIN and LUKE ANDREWS FOR MAILONLINE-7 June 2020

Black Lives Matter protesters have torn down a statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol and dumped it in the harbour - as demonstrations continue to sweep Britain following the death of George Floyd in America.

Footage shows demonstrators, packed closely together - despite social distancing guidelines, heaving the metal monument down with ropes before cheering and dancing around it, with many placing their knees on the fallen statue as it lay on the ground. 

The statue, which had been in place since 1895, has been a subject of controversy in recent years. The most recent petition to remove it garnered more than 11,000 signatures. 

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has condemned protester's decision to force it down today, declaring on Twitter: 'This is not OK'. Home Secretary Priti Patel branded the act as 'utterly disgraceful'.

Along with the tobacco trade, Colston's wealth helped to develop Bristol in the 17th century. He used a lot of his riches, accrued from his extensive slave trading, to build schools and almshouses in his home city. 

An estimated 10,000 protesters had gathered in Bristol today to march through the city. Avon and Somerset police have said that although the protests are a breach in lockdown regulations, they understand why people want to gather.

Speaking after the demonstration, superintendent Andy Bennett vowed there would be an investigation into the 'act of criminal damage,' near Bristol Harbourside, where slave ships once docked centuries ago. 

Huge crowds of Black Lives Matter protesters have also gathered outside the US embassy in Battersea, London as rallies continue across the UK. Demonstrations are also being held in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Elsewhere in the capital, protesters defaced a statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, writing the words 'was a racist' under the wartime prime minister's name. 

Across the country the crowds have been seen marching close together - despite repeated warnings for the public to avoid protests and obey social distancing measures to prevent the spread of Covid-19. 

Protesters in Bristol pulled down a statue of Edward Colston, a 17th century slave trader who has numerous landmarks named after him in the city, as part of the Black Lives Matter protest today

The Edward Colston statue has been pulled down by Black Lives Matter (BLM) protesters in Bristol. Colston was a 17th century slave trader who has numerous landmarks named after him in Bristol 

A protester stands atop the fallen statue of Bristol-born English merchant, philanthropist, slave trader, and Member of Parliament Edward Colston

Protesters rolled the statue to Bristol's nearby harbour, with some demonstrators seen kneeling on the monument's neck 

An estimated 10,000 protesters had gathered in Bristol today to march through the city to protest against racism and discrimination. Avon and Somerset police have said that although the protests are a breach in lockdown regulations, they understand why people want to gather

Protesters cheered as they forced a monument into the water at Bristol Harbourside, where Colston's slave ships would have once docked

After pulling the monument to one of Bristol's most famous sons to the ground, protesters dropped it in the city's harbour 

Crowds packed side by side, with no room for social distancing, at Bristol's harbour this afternoon to watch the statue as it was thrown into the water 

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