Boris Johnson does not believe that the UK is a racist country, the Prime Minister’s official spokesman said.
“The PM doesn’t doubt that there continues to be discrimination and racism but does not agree that this is a racist country,” the spokesman said.
“We have made very significant progress on this issue but there remains more to do and we will not be complacent in our efforts to stamp out racism and discrimination where it happens.”
The statement comes after mass demonstrations across the country this weekend in the wake of the death of George Floyd.
Mr Floyd died in the USA when a police officer held his knee against his neck for nine minutes.
During the protests this weekend a statue of a slave trader in Bristol was torn down.
Downing Street said tearing down the Edward Colston statue in Bristol was a “criminal act” and issues such as the monument to the slave trader should be addressed through democratic processes.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The PM’s view is that in this country, where there is strong opinion, there is a democratic process which should be followed.
“People can campaign for the removal of a statue but what happened yesterday was a criminal act and when the criminal law is broken that is unacceptable and the police will want to hold to account those responsible.”
The spokesman added: “The PM absolutely understands the strength of feeling, but in this country we settle our differences democratically and if people wanted the removal of the statue there are democratic routes which can be followed.”
