British PM Johnson says 'Of course black lives matter' as hundreds protest in Hyde Park

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson said on Wednesday black lives mattered and he supported the right to protest, in a lawful and socially-distanced way, after the killing of unarmed black man George Floyd in the U.S. stirred widespread anger.

"Of course, black lives matter and I totally understand the anger, the grief that is felt not just in America but around the world and in our country as well," he told parliament.

"I also support, as I've said, the right to protest. The only point I would make... is that any protest should be carried out lawfully and in this country protests should be carried out in accordance with our rules on social distancing."

On Wednesday, hundreds of protesters in London gather in Hyde Park in solidarity with protests in the United States.

Earlier, British police said they were appalled by the way George Floyd lost his life and by the violence which followed in U.S. cities. 

"We stand alongside all those across the globe who are appalled and horrified by the way George Floyd lost his life," police chiefs from across the UK said in a joint statement. "Justice and accountability should follow." 

"We are also appalled to see the violence and damage that has happened in so many U.S. cities," they said. "So for whatever reason people want to come together, we ask that people continue to work with officers at this challenging time," the police chiefs said.

(With input from Reuters)