London's statue taskforce branded as 'left-wing wheezes' by Jacob Rees-Mogg

A taskforce set up to look at London's statues, street names and memorials has been branded as a group of "loony, left-wing wheezes".

The Commission for Diversity in the Public Realm was announced by London Mayor Sadiq Khan to help improve diversity in public spaces.

But Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg said it was wrong the group "should be inflicted upon our great metropolis."

The mayor's office said he made "no apology" for setting up the group.

Fifteen panellists, including actor Riz Ahmed, historian Sandy Nairne and chair of City Sikhs Jasvir Singh, make up the commission.

The mayor's office said it will "review what currently makes up London's public realm, discuss what legacies should be celebrated and make a series of recommendations" in order to improve diversity in the city.

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The commission was mentioned in the House of Commons by Conservative MP Andrew Rosindell, who asked whether the leader of the house shared his worries about an "unelected activists being given the power to interfere with London street names and monuments."

Mr Rees-Mogg replied he agreed with his concerns and accused the London mayor of being "Red Khan".

"It is quite wrong that these loony left-wing wheezes should be inflicted upon our great metropolis, and I think the mayor in his zeal is potentially treading on the toes of councils anyway," he said.

The MP for North East Somerset added the country should instead "celebrate and glory in our wonderful history and in the great heroes of our nation going back over centuries."

Jacob Rees-Mogg accused the commission of being "loony left-wing wheezes"

Responding to the comments, a spokesperson for the mayor said Mr Khan "makes absolutely no apology for creating a commission to help ensure everyone can take pride in our city's public landscape" and that the group will work with councils and partners "to ensure we tell the full story of our capital" in its public spaces.

"It's a great pity that the minister seems to have no interest in that diverse history being told," the spokesperson added.