Tower Hamlet’s mayor John Biggs has tasked his officials to explore taking forward Whitechapel residents’ proposal for a statue of Joseph Merrick.
Responding to a letter from residents of Durward Street, where the proposed statue will be situated, the mayor said:
"The public realm works on Durward Street have begun and whilst they currently do not involve any proposals for a statue I understand there is sufficient space for a statue and I can ask colleagues in the Liveable Streets and the Public Realm Team whether that idea might be taken forward. Further public consultation I envisage would be required to canvass a wide range of opinion on the idea and hopefully to establish if there is a potential consensus as to whether a statue to Joseph Merrick would be fitting and appropriate in this location"
Letter from John Biggs 29/3/21