David Lammy says 'George Floyd could be us' as he encourages Brits to 'make noise' with protests during Question Time appearance

Labour's David Lammy spoke out in support of George Floyd protesters as he urged Brits to educate themselves about structural racism in their own society.

Black Lives Matter protests have erupted across the UK in response to death of Mr Floyd in police custody in Minneapolis. The 46-year-old African American man died after a police officer knelt on his neck while he was restrained.

Mr Lammy has called for justice for Mr Floyd on his Twitter page and spoken out in support of the protesters, saying US President Donald Trump should respect the fundamental democratic right to peaceful protest.

Speaking on BBC's Question Time the Tottenham MP said the UK has its "own problems" of structural racism and discrimination.

"George Floyd looks like us, could be us," said Mr Lammy.

"But what's striking about this moment is that, when you look at the protests, it's black and white, it's all kinds of people saying: enough is enough.

"His last words were 'I can't breathe'. People are saying that none of us can breathe with this structural racism and discrimination that's - yes - very deep in America, but it's present also in our own society."

Mr Lammy spoke of a review he was commissioned to carry out four years ago by David Cameron to investigate over-representation of black, Asians and ethnic minorities in the criminal justice system.

He said people in the UK are nine times more likely to be stopped and searched by the police if they are an ethnic minority.

He added that, since 1990, 183 black, Asian and ethnic minority people have died in police custody.

Mr Lammy said we should not expect black people to make the case for structural racism and encouraged Brits to educate themselves.

"Challenge your friends, family... of course on social media, people who are clearly racist," said the MP. "It's got to stop."

Thousands of people descended upon central London on Wednesday to take part in demonstrations.

Thirteen people were arrested after physical altercations broke out when tensions bubbled over outside Prime Minister Boris Johnson's residence.

When asked if he had joined the protests, Mr Lammy said as a public servant he was in a "position of responsibility" and that he didn't want to go out into the streets after condemning Dominic Cummings for not following social distancing guidelines.

He encouraged the Black Lives Matter activists to follow the social distancing measures but also to "make noise" by protesting.

He continued: "Take this all the way to November because we know what Donald Trump is up to. This is deliberate.

"He's winding up parts of his base who want to see this conflict between black and white in this country."

The Chief Executive and General Secretary of the Royal College of Nursing, Dame Donna Kinnair also spoke out on race during BBC's Question Time.

When asked if she saw systemic issues of race in the UK, Dame Donna responded: "As a nurse you see it everyday.

"You see it both in the structure that you're within - in the institution of health. If you look at how many black managers have broken through the glass ceiling, you will see that there are very few."

Dame Donna added that as a nurse she faces issues of race on a daily basis.

"Just look at the outcomes for our patients. Every single measure that you can apply, the outcomes are worse for black and minority ethnic patients."

Three more police officers involved in the death of George Floyd have been charged, and the charge against the first officer, Derek Chauvin, has been upgraded to second-degree murder.

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