Theresa May unveils first statue of woman in Parliament square

It is the first statue of a female figure to be erected in the square following a campaign by writer and activist Caroline Criado Perez – who previously fought to get Jane Austen on the £10 note.

Speaking at the unveiling, the Prime Minister paid tribute to the “lasting” impact Ms Fawcett had had on public life, having been instrumental in the votes for women movement in the early 20th Century.

Mrs May said: “I would not be standing here today as prime minister, no female MPs would have taken their seats in Parliament, none of us would have had the right and protections we know enjoy, were it not for one truly great woman - Dame Millicent Garrett Fawcett."

She added: “For generations to come, this statue will serve not just as a reminder of Dame Millicent’s extraordinary life and legacy, but as inspiration to all of us who wish to follow in her footsteps.”

Ms Criado Perez – who began her campaign two years ago said: "I can't really take the whole thing in. It's too big really to contemplate that it's finally happening."

London Mayor Sadiq Khan, who was also at the ceremony, said: “Today is an historic day.

“The decision to commission this statue was a no-brainer. It is vital that we fix the imbalance and make sure more women are represented in our public spaces.”

Commenting afterwards, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn called for more statues of influential women to be erected in the future.

“A lot more can be done… There’s a number of women who deserve statues.

“Sylvia Pankhurst for example, and those women that suffered in Holloway prison, in my constituency.”

Elsewhere in the square there are depictions of 11 male historical figures – including Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi.

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