Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees has insisted the future of Edward Colston's plinth must be decided on by the people of Bristol.
He made the comment after the slave trader's statue was replaced by the figure of Black Lives Matter protester Jen Reid in the early hours of this morning (Wednesday, July 15).
The installation of the new sculpture was not done with the permission of Bristol City Council, which is yet to announce its plans for the empty plinth.
Marvin Rees previously said any decision on how the plinth should be used would be decided democratically through consultation.
In a new statement issued today, he said he was committed 'to build a city for all Bristolians'.
He said: "The future of the plinth and what is installed on it must be decided by the people of Bristol.
"This will be critical to building a city that is home to those who are elated at the statue being pulled down, those who sympathise with its removal but are dismayed at how it happened and those who feel that in its removal, they’ve lost a piece of the Bristol they know and therefore themselves.
“We need change. In leading that change we have to find a pace that brings people with us. There is an African proverb that says if you want to go fast, go alone, if you want to go far, go together.
"Our challenge is to take the city far. The art of building our city will be finding a way to live with our difference so that even where people do not get what they want, they know they live in a city that is their one and respects them."
He went on to say the sculpture which was installed today 'was the work and decision of a London based artist'.
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"It was not requested and permission was not given for it to be installed," he said.
"We have set out a process to manage our journey. We have established a history commission which help us tell our full city history.
"As we learn this fuller history including the part played by black people, women, the working class, trade unions, and children among others, we will be in a better position to understand who we are, how we got here and who we wish to honour.
"Crucial to our heritage has been the harbour and the docks, manufacturing and industry, research and innovation, transport, slum clearances, housing, modern gentrification and faith.
"As the commission shares this information, the city will decide on city memorials and the future of the plinth.”
