An independent commission has recommended a statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes be removed from the grounds of an Oxford University college. Oxford's Oriel College has however said it will not be removed due to the costs it would incur. The commission was set up last year to examine the memorials and legacy of Cecil Rhodes as calls around the UK grew to remove statues of controversial historical statues following anti-racism protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in the US. Oriel College recommended then that the statue be removed. The commission backed the proposal by Oriel College's Governing Body to remove the statue in its report released Thursday.