Liverpool's Penny Lane could be renamed if it's linked to slave trader James Penny

Last week, Penny Lane signs in Liverpool were defaced following reports of the street being named after slave trader James Penny.

Sky News reports that Liverpool city mayor Steve Rotherham said, "If it is as a direct consequence of that road being called Penny Lane because of James Penny, then that needs to be investigated."

He added, "Something needs to happen and I would say that sign and that road may well be in danger of being renamed. But, of course, there is no evidence that is the fact."

Speaking to Kay Burley, Rotherham continued, "Just imagine not having a Penny Lane and the Beatles' song not being about somewhere."

"Just imagine not having a Penny Lane"@MetroMayorSteve says he doesn't believe the Liverpool street of Beatles fame is named after the anti-abolitionist James Penny. HS#KayBurley #PennyLane pic.twitter.com/DAhaRWlJdJ

— Kay Burley (@KayBurley) June 15, 2020

Rotherham said of his own opinion of the street name, "I'm not pretending or I wouldn't presume to tell people in communities in the Liverpool city region what they should be thinking. It needs to be investigated and then, if it's found as a direct link then action can be taken."