While his woke statue commission continue its work, Sadiq Khan appears to have had a Damascene conversion on the issue of controversial sculptures in London. Today, Khan defended the impending erection of a new fourth plinth statue of Chilembwe – an anti-colonial activist in Nyasaland who ordered the decapitation of William Livingstone in front of his children. Sadiq’s statue commission claims it wants to “reflect London’s achievements and diversity”…

In response to the question posed by Shaun Bailey, Khan argued that:

“I think art has an important role in stimulating conversation. I also think we should challenge different perspectives when it comes to history. History is complicated and it is always worth getting a different perspective”. 

Bailey pointed out “this is a man who sanctioned the murder of people… he did sermons with the head of his opponents on a pike”…