HOPES for a statue of Nelson Mandela in Trafalgar Square were dashed by Westminster Council last night, causing a clash with Ken Livingstone, the Mayor of London. A decision to end the argument now rests with John Prescott, the Deputy Prime Minister.

Councillors rejected the 9 ft bronze being erected on the square’s vacant fourth plinth but campaigners such as Lord Attenborough said they would lodge an immediate appeal.

Mr Livingstone said that the council’s decision “shows how out of touch it is with public opinion. There is clear support from the public, politicians and public figures both here and overseas”.

He added: “I will now work hard with sculptor Ian Walters and the project sponsors to try to get the statue in place by appealing to John Prescott. We will be lodging our appeal immediately.”

Karen Chohan, of the race relations charity The 1990 Trust, said: “I find it incredible that Trafalgar Square honours one Nelson who was involved in wars but not another, who is one of the world’s greatest leaders of all time. It’s a slight on the black communities of London and the UK.”

Councillors said that they liked the statue itself but felt it was too big for the vacant plinth. Although they were enthusiastic about the principle of a statue to the anti-apartheid campaigner in Trafalgar Square, they preferred the site outside South Africa House, the scene of many vigils and demonstrations during the apartheid era.

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