Queen Victoria statue graffiti condemned but Leeds council leader says public art must be more diverse

The statue was found defaced on Tuesday.

The monument to the long-serving monarch, on Woodhouse Moor, was daubed with Black Lives Matter graffiti on Tuesday.

The reign of Victoria, which lasted from 1837 to 1901, saw a huge expansion of the British Empire.

A petition to remove a nearby statue of two-time Prime Minister and founder of the police force, Sir Robert Peel, has also been set up. Campaigners have cited Britain's occupation of Ireland on his watch and claimed he is an "apologist for slavery".

Councillor Blake said she recognised "feelings are running high" as debate continues over how controversial historical figures are honoured.

It prompted the council to announce a review of all of its statues, which it says will take public opinion into account.

The review will be led by former Armley councillor Alison Lowe, who was the first black woman to be elected to the authority in 1990.

Speaking at a press briefing on Wednesday, council leader Judith Blake said the graffiti was wrong, but added that Leeds needed to be more representative in how it honours historical figures.

She said: "We have strong policies on graffiti. It's something we don't tolerate.

A review of Leeds' public art works will be led by respected former councillor Alison Lowe.

"Our teams have been out this morning cleaning up the statue.

Referring to one specific term that formed part of the graffiti, she added: "We don't condone such behaviour and there was a real element of misogyny in the way the statue was defaced."

"But we recognise feelings are running high. That's why we want to reach out and set up a proper dialogue (with the public), so we can move forward in a peaceful and constructive way, that takes all views into account."

Coun Blake said she was "incredibly proud" of Leeds' "strong" community relations and work taking place across the city to bring people together.

It is not known who is behind the graffiti.

But she added: "Most importantly we need to make sure that the statues and works of art reflect the diversity of our city.

"We are very well aware that many significant people in our city from our different communities, our women and working-class movements are not adequately represented at this moment in time."

The council has not ruled out putting security measures in place if the statue is defaced again.

James Rodgers, director of communities and environment, said: "We're monitoring things very closely and we will take a view of any particular arrangements we need to put in place.

"At the minute the graffiti was an isolated incident but if a repeat occurrence takes place then we'll have to review the position."

Local Democracy Reporting Service