Woman allegedly linked to Colston protest fundraising denies fraud

Xahra Saleem, 22, is accused of using money raised in connection to Colston statue toppling for herself

A woman allegedly involved in fundraising connected to the Bristol protest during which a statue of the slave trader Edward Colston was toppled and dumped into the city’s harbour has denied fraud.

Xahra Saleem, 22, of Romford, east London, appeared at Bristol magistrates court on Tuesday accused of two counts of fraud by abuse of position.