UK Black Lives Matter protests live: Oxford demo to target Rhodes statue

NHS Trusts hold minute's silence in solidarity against racism

A number of NHS Trusts, which are responsible for hospitals and GPs’ practices, are holding a minute’s silence at 12noon in solidarity against racism.

It turns out the justice questions in the Commons didn’t touch on the Black Lives Matter protests.

David Lammy, the shadow justice secretary, pressed the justice minister Lucy Frazer on the issue of children in young offender institutions across the UK.

Lammy said one third of all children on youth justice estates were on remand without a sentence, and a proportion of those will not receive a custodial sentence when they eventually appear before a judge.

He said there were issues with young people not being allowed adequate time out of their cells due to Covid-19. Frazer responded by saying custody was a last resort and that young people should have 12 to 14 hours out of their cells every day.

We’ll return to justice questions if the Black Lives Matter protests are discussed.

The Labour leader, Keir Starmer, says George Floyd’s death must be a “catalyst for change” and that his party stands with those opposing racism and oppression.

The justice secretary, Robert Buckland, will soon be taking questions in the House of Commons. He’s likely to repeat the stance set out yesterday by the home secretary, Priti Patel, vowing that a minority of protesters would “face justice” for their “thuggery”.

As Jack Blanchard pointed out in today’s Politico London Playbook, Buckland’s opposite number, the shadow justice secretary, David Lammy, is one of parliament’s most powerful voices on race issues so today’s hearing should be worth watching.

Parliament holds minute's silence for George Floyd

Parliament has just held a minute’s silence in memory of George Floyd, whose death at the hands of a police officer in Minnesota triggered a wave of demonstrations on both sides of the Atlantic.

Four Commons select committees were sitting at 11am when they all fell silent.

Hello. This is Josh Halliday taking over from Martin. Stay with us for all the day’s developments on the UK Black Lives Matter protests. And feel free to get in touch with tips or suggestions.

The last time Oriel College was under pressure to remove the Cecil Rhodes statue, they sought the opinions of former students. Some of those former students are now very much rallying around the idea that the statue must go.

A form is being circulated online for alumni to add their names to an open letter. Appealing for leaders at the college to think of the long-term impact on the institution.

We would be ashamed and embarrassed to be associated with a college that let the statue of Cecil Rhodes remain standing on its grounds. The Oriel students and alumni campaigning for the removal of the statue back in 2016 and today are the donors of tomorrow. The momentum is well and truly behind removing the statue. Every year it is still there, more and more alumni will think twice about making a donation; more and more students will refuse to be associated with an institution that is so out-of-step with their own beliefs.