Boris Johnson news: PM accused of ‘stoking fear and division’ with criticism of Black Lives Matter protests as government makes U-turn on Brexit border checks

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Boris Johnson urges people not to attend Black Lives Matter protests

Boris Johnson has said it is “absurd and shameful” the Winston Churchill national monument is at risk of attack by protesters this weekend, and warned Black Lives Matter supporters that the responsible thing to do is “stay away from these protests”.

The prime minister went further and claimed the tearing down of statues constitutes “lying about our history”, before claiming that the demonstrations had been “hijacked by extremists intent on violence”. Lib Dem home affairs spokesperson Christina Jardine responded by accusing Mr Johnson of “stoking division and fear in our communities.”

Full border controls with the EU won’t be ready until at least six months after the Brexit transition period ends on 31 December 2020, the government has announced. It comes as the latest GDP figures show the British economy shrank more than 20 per cent in April.

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Key Points

• Boris Johnson 'stoking division and fear' with​ BLM comments
• PM says 'absurd and shameful' that Churchill statue at risk
• Full border controls with EU 'not ready until July 2022'
• Gove confirms no delay to Brexit transition period
• Starmer most popular opposition leader since Blair

[12 June 2020 19:31 · Peter Stubley]

Clashes feared as right-wing groups vow to 'defend' memorials

Here's home affairs correspondent Lizzie Dearden with more detail on the reports that right-wing groups are heading to London this weekend.

[12 June 2020 19:51 · Peter Stubley]

'There needs to be a debate about statues', says Corbyn

Former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn has said "there is a case for taking down some statues" as he argued for more education on the country's colonialist past.

Speaking t at a Black Lives Matter protest on Highbury Fields in north London, he told Press Association there was a "need for a recalibration in our society to teach history as it really happened and what the nature of slavery and colonialism and European expansion was".

Mr Corbyn added: "I think this is a movement that will actually have profound effects in the future, coupled with the inequalities that have been exposed by the corona crisis."

Commenting on recent scrutiny of statues of controversial historical figures, he said: "We have to look at our own history, it isn't just about monuments and street names, it's about the way our children are taught in schools and what they understand of what colonialism was about and how people like Cecil Rhodes and others made their money."

Asked if statues should be removed, Mr Corbyn said: "Yes I think there is a case for taking down some statues for sure, but I do think there needs to be a debate about it and that can be a good thing."

[12 June 2020 20:05 · Peter Stubley]

Boris Johnson 'stoking division and fear' with BLM comments

The prime minister has been accused of "stoking division and fear" after he claimed the Black Lives Matter protests had been "hijacked by extremists intent on violence".

Boris Johnson tweeted earlier today that it was "absurd and shameful" that the statue of Winston Churchill in Wesminster should be targeted.

"The attacks on the police and indiscriminate acts of violence which we have witnessed over the last week are intolerable and they are abhorrent," he added.

Christine Jardine, the Liberal Democrat MP and home affairs spokesperson, responded: “The Black Lives Matter protests following the horrific killing of George Floyd by a police officer have been overwhelmingly peaceful.

"The prime minister is stoking division and fear in our communities by suggesting they have been hijacked by extremists."

The party are calling on Boris Johnson to reverse his expansion of stop and search powers.

[12 June 2020 20:42 · Peter Stubley]

Police impose conditions on London protests

The Metropolitan Police has imposed restrictions on the protests by Black Lives Matter supporters and right-wing groups in London tomorrow - describing the conditions as "a proportionate response to the threat that has been identified".

The Black Lives Matter march must start at Hyde Park and process to Park Lane, Hyde Park Corner, Piccadilly, Piccadilly Circus, Haymarket, Cockspur Street, Trafalgar Square and finish in Whitehall. Any gathering must be in Trafalgar Square and Whitehall.

It will be separated from the gathering "promoted by the right wing and associated groups" by a police barrier at Whitehall.

The right wing protest must assemble in Parliament Square and Whitehall, south of the police barrier line.

Both demonstrations should finish by 5pm, the police said.

However the police urged people not to travel to London to join the protests because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Commander Bas Javid said: “I absolutely understand why people want to make their voices heard – there is a really strong depth of feeling out in the communities, but the Government direction is that we remain in a health pandemic and people are asked not to gather in large groups. By doing so, you are putting your own safety, and that of your family or friends at risk. We are asking you not to come to London, and let your voices be heard in other ways."

[12 June 2020 20:58 · Peter Stubley]

Arrests 'unrelated to BLM protest'

Two men arrested during a peaceful Black Lives Matter demonstration in London's Hyde Park on Friday were wanted for unrelated matters, according to police.

City of London Police said in a statement: "The individuals arrested by the Metropolitan Police today are wanted by the City of London Police for matters unrelated to their activity at any of the Black Lives Matter protests.

"As it is an ongoing police investigation we can't provide any more details."

[12 June 2020 21:19 · Peter Stubley]

Boris Johnson to hold talks with Macron amid Brexit trade deadlock

Boris Johnson will host the French president Emmanuel Macron in Downing Street next week following a virtual summit with Brussels to kickstart the deadlocked Brexit trade talks.

The prime minister is expected to meet Mr Macron on Thursday as the French premier travels to London to celebrate the 80th anniversary of Charles de Gaulle’s wartime appeal to the people of France to resist the German occupation.

[12 June 2020 21:46 · Peter Stubley]

Blanket quarantine to stay until at least 29 June 

Quarantine will remain in place until 29 June at least, with no news on “air bridges” before then, the transport secretary has indicated.

The home secretary, Priti Patel, brought in the new rules on 8 June. Almost all arrivals at UK airports, ferry ports and international rail terminals are required to self-isolate at home for two weeks.

[12 June 2020 21:53 · Peter Stubley]

That's it for the politics live blog for today. Thanks for reading.