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' 
• Clash in Whitehall sees police and protesters lying on the floor as fireworks were thrown onto the ground  
• A statue of Winston Churchill has been defaced with the words 'was a racist' in Parliament Square, London

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 protesters' decision to force it down, 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 on Sunday 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.

Shocked protesters watched the statue fall, before it was then dragged to Bristol Harbourside and dumped into the water 

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.

Will Taylor, 29, who attended Sunday's demonstration in the heart of Bristol said: 'Colston's statue was a constant reminder that Britain would rather uphold it's idea of a euro centric history, than acknowledge the stories of the victims who suffered for his success.

'Today, those victims were given their voice back. We can either rebuild together or let our history tighten it's noose around our gasping throats.' 

Fellow protester Ryah Baker 23 added: 'Despite it being an act of 'criminal damage', it was powerful to see the statue get pulled down and black men stand its place.

'I remember when paint was thrown on the statue a few years ago and have since found it challenging seeing a statue of a slave owner being celebrated in such a way. This is particularly as I find Bristol a welcoming and diverse city.

'While this has been a significant part of the the BLM protest in Bristol, this should not undermine the hard work of the organisers. It was a well executed event which brought people together and was incredibly powerful.'

Protesters and police in London have clashed in Whitehall, with fireworks being thrown on the ground and one officer being treated for what appeared to be a cut to the face. 

Witnesses claim police have been attacked with bottles and traffic cones, while footage shows some protesters trying to calm the crowds. 

In Parliament Square nearby, a statue of Winston Churchill was defaced, with the words 'was a racist' written 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. 

Once the statue was on the ground, protesters began to pose next to it, placing their knees on its neck in protest over the death of George Floyd  

Protesters raised their fists and took a knee in front of the defaced Winston Churchill statue in Parliament Square, London yesterday

Former Chancellor of the Exchequer Sajid Javid has condemned the removal of the Colston statue, writing: 'I grew up in Bristol. I detest how Edward Colston profited from the slave trade. But, THIS IS NOT OK. If Bristolians wants to remove a monument it should be done democratically - not by criminal damage.' 

PROTESTERS CLOSE M6 CARRIAGEWAY BY MARCHING IN ROAD

The M6 has been closed in the Midlands as Black Lives Matter protesters walk down the carriageway.

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The M6 has been closed as Black Lives Matter protesters march on the carriageway

A video posted on social media shows crowds of people covering the motorway near Birmingham as traffic remains stationary on the other side.

Many on the motorway going the other way got out of their cars to watch the protests.

A helicopter was also seen overhead.  

One person commented on the video: 'Unbelievable' as another said 'How was this allowed to happen?'

Warwickshire police urged motorists to avoid the area amid reports of 'pedestrian protesters' on the southbound carriageway.  

They tweeted: 'We are receiving reports of pedestrian protesters at junction 3 of the M6 in the southbound carriageway.

'Southbound is now currently closed.

'Please seek alternative routes and be wary if you are traveling on the M6.

Former UKIP leader Nigel Farage wrote: 'If Boris Johnson won't lead and stand up for the country, as its symbols are trashed, then people will start taking it into their own hands. Full on race riots are now possible. Show leadership and fast.' 

Home Secretary Priti Patel told Sky News said: 'I think that is utterly disgraceful. That speaks to the acts of public disorder that actually have become a distraction from the cause that people are actually protesting.

'Sheer vandalism and disorder is completely unacceptable and its right the police follow up on that and make sure justice is undertaken.' 

Responding to Ms Patel's comments, ex-England footballer Gary Lineker tweeted: 'It’s utterly disgraceful that a statue to a slaver survived as long as it did.' 

Labour MPs tweeted in solidarity with protesters who pulled down the statue.  

Clive Lewis, MP for Norwich South, wrote: 'If statues of confederates who fought a war for slavery & white supremacy shld come down then why not this one?

'Someone responsible for immeasurable blood & suffering. We'll never solve structural racism till we get to grips with our history in all its complexity.' 

Dawn Butler, MP for Brent Central, quote-tweeted a video of the statue being thrown into the harbour, captioning her post with a clenched fist emoji and the words 'This caused me to exhale'.

Westworld and Casino Royale actor Jeffrey Wright wrote: 'Gorgeous. F*** him. Imagine the human beings who met a similar fate during the middle passage...like 19,300 of the 84,500+ African men, women & children purchased, branded and forced onto Royal African Company (his company) ships from 1680-1692.'

Bishop of Bristol Viv Faul wrote: 'After today’s march for justice for black people and the fall of the statue of Colston, let’s repent of the evils of our slave trading past, the racism of so many years and the institutional oppression which is still so powerful and let’s build Bristol as a city of hope for all.' 

Labour peer Andrew Adonis tweeted: 'I hope no action is taken against those who removed mass slave trader Edward Colston’s statue. This should have happened decades ago. His name has been removed from other monuments in Bristol. No way should we be celebrating slave traders today.'

Historian and broadcaster David Olusoga said one of the main problems the statue caused was that people did not understand why it was a source of upset for many in the city.

'This is a city that is about 14% BAME with a statue of somebody who was not just a slave trader, he was involved in the Royal Africa Company, the company that trafficked more people into slavery than any in British history,' he told BBC News.

'The fact that it has not been seen as a problem for such a long time, that so many people are confused as to why the statue offends and upsets so many people, has been the problem.'

Protests in the US have seen Confederate statues toppled or removed during recent rallies. Among the monuments to be torn down was a 129-year-old statue of Confederate General Williams Carter Wickham, which was removed on Saturday. 

Supt Bennett said: 'The Black Lives Matter demonstration in Bristol today was attended by an estimated 10,000 people.

'The vast majority of those who came to voice their concerns about racial inequality and injustice did so peacefully and respectfully.

'The ongoing coronavirus pandemic added a different dynamic to what was always going to be a challenging policing operation.

'And I’d like to thank the organisers for their efforts to encourage demonstrators to follow Government guidance – a message which many clearly took on board, doing their best to socially distance despite the large crowds.

'Keeping the public safe was our greatest priority and thankfully there were no instances of disorder and no arrests were made.

'However, there was a small group of people who clearly committed an act of criminal damage in pulling down a statue near Bristol Harbourside.

DUTCH LGBT GROUP HOLDS SOCIALLY-DISTANCED RALLY  

An LGBT group in Zwolle, Netherlands, held its own rally in memory of George Floyd on Sunday. 

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Protesters in Zwolle, Netherlands, held a rally on Sunday

Unlike scenes in London and Bristol, Dutch protesters were able to make their voices heard while complying with their country's social distancing rules.

Protesters were seen wearing face masks and keeping up to two metres apart, while also holding up signs supporting the Black Lives Matter movement and calling for justice over the death of George Floyd.

Protests in Glasgow were also held at a safe distance on Sunday, while elsewhere crowds packed together with only some opting to wear face masks. 

'An investigation will be carried out to identify those involved and we’re already collating footage of the incident.

'I’d like to thank our partners at Bristol City Council for helping us to ensure this was a safe event for all who attended.'  

Colston donated money to causes in and around Bristol before his death in 1721 - including to the city's churches, founded almshouses, Queen Elizabeth's Hospital School, and founding a religious school for boys.

According to Historic England, his involvement in the slave trade was the source of much of the money which he bestowed in the city. 

Campaign group Countering Colston has called for an end to Bristol 'publicly celebrating' the controversial figure, and for the city to recognise the 'true history of transatlantic slavery, colonialism and exploitation'.

An 11,000-strong petition said the statue of Colston had 'no place' in Bristol's 'beloved' city centre.

In a victory for campaigners, Colston Hall - Bristol's largest concert hall - announced in 2017 it would be re-branding, while a school formerly known as Colston's Primary School was renamed last year. 

Protests across the country showed little room for social distancing, though some protesters were wearing masks as they took to the streets this weekend. In Glasgow protesters kept their distance as they clapped during a demonstration.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock said it is 'undoubtedly a risk' that there will be an increase in coronavirus cases following the protests. 

He told Sky's Sophy Ridge on Sunday he supported the protesters' arguments, but urged: 'Please don't gather in groups of more than six people because there is also a pandemic that we must address and control.

People gesture during a Black Lives Matter protest in Edinburgh, following the death of George Floyd who died in police custody in Minneapolis

Scuffles broke out when objects were thrown towards officers wearing protective gear, with mounted police called in to drive some of the demonstrators back along Whitehall.

Video footage appeared to show an officer colliding with a traffic light before their horse ran through a crowd of protesters, sending them scattering.

The Metropolitan Police later confirmed a female officer fell from the horse and had been taken to hospital. Her injuries are not life-threatening.

Metropolitan Police Federation chairman Ken Marsh said the officer had 'quite nasty' injuries, telling BBC Breakfast: 'She's stable - she has some quite nasty injuries which she sustained. And the horse is fine.'

He added: 'I think my colleagues - as always - were absolute heroes... the abuse they took. They tried to facilitate the public behaviour... I had nothing but pride in what I saw. It was horrendous seeing my colleagues being injured.'

Photographs showed the officer being treated at the scene as she lay injured on the pavement, while other images showed bikes being thrown at horses.

Officers are 'investigating the full circumstances' of the officer's fall but the force said the horse made its own way back to its stables nearby.

Elsewhere on Saturday, boxing heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua used crutches to join people on a peaceful protest in his home town of Watford.

Many people wore face masks and social-distancing measures were encouraged during events in Manchester, Cardiff, Sheffield and Newcastle, among other cities.