PRIME Minister Boris Johnson has said he “does not believe in gestures” when asked if he would take the knee in support of Black Lives Matter.
Appearing on Nick Ferrari’s LBC show, Johnson said he was more interested in “substance” and “things that make a practical difference”.
When pressed again, the Prime Minister said he didn’t want “people to be bullied into doing things they don't necessarily want to do".
He also hit out at police officers who took the knee during recent protests in London.
Taking the knee has become a symbol of the Black Lives Matter protests which have taken place around the globe since Geroge Floyd’s murder..
The gesture became more popular when NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick took the knee ahead of a match in 2016 in protest at police brutality.
Watch the exchange below:
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel