Councillors throw out proposal for Staines landmark

A bid to erect a statue of Ali G has been rejected.

Councillors rejected a petition to create a permanent monument to  Sacha Baron Cohen’s character in Staines, the Surrey town the character is from.

Resident Alex Balkan, who led the calls, wanted it to tie in with the release of the film Ali G: Who Iz I? on October 23.

He said: ‘Ali G and the Staines Massiv have given Staines a distinctive place in British popular culture. The release of a new film provides an opportunity to celebrate that connection, promote the town centre and create a lasting community benefit.

‘We believe Staines should embrace the attention with humour and pride, while using it to support the next generation of the Staines Massiv.’

He did not ask Spelthorne Borough Council to directly fund the statue, saying it should spearhead a campaign to get outside money, saying they should ‘test a temporary attraction and consider a permanent landmark where it is feasible, properly licensed and externally funded.’

However, councillors rejected his idea, saying the authority needed to ‘focus on other priorities’ for its residents. 

A total of 232 people signed the petition.

Media platform NewsCord has been campaigning for cinemas not to screen Who Iz I?, claiming  Cohen uses satire as a ‘cover for enforcing racist stereotypes’.

Published: 10 Sep 2026