They opted for a jury trial, claiming the statue was itself a hate crime and it was therefore not a criminal offence to remove it.

Mr Osborne’s remarks were posted as Suella Braverman, the Attorney General, was criticised for saying she was considering referring the case to the Court of Appeal.

This weekend, 22 members of the Common Sense Group of Conservative MPs and peers wrote to Ms Braverman urging her to refer the “Colston four” verdict to the Court of Appeal.

Their intervention came after Mrs Braverman confirmed that she was considering asking the court to review the case, amid fears that the “perverse” acquittal of the four protestors could set a legal precedent for further violent demonstrations against memorials.

The group, led by Sir John Hayes, the former security minister, said: “The Common Sense Group of MPs is shocked at how this case has been handled, and remains extremely concerned that the verdict has set a dangerous precedent for cases of criminal damage, which should not be excused on the bogus grounds of serving of a political cause.

“Of course, trial by jury is a cornerstone of the judicial process, but it depends upon a multitude of factors for its integrity, a number of which appear to have been disregarded in this case.”

The parliamentarians said it was “arguable that the presiding judge should have directed the jury to a ‘guilty’ verdict given the contradiction between the defendants’ unrepentant admissions of vandalism and their ‘not guilty’ pleas.”

They added: “Given your power to refer this matter of law to the Court of Appeal, the signatories to this letter, drawn from Common Sense Group Parliamentarians, urge you to do so at the earliest opportunity.”

Ms Braverman was accused of “Trumpian politics” and “playing political games” for even considering referring the case to the court.

Section 36 of the Criminal Justice Act 1972 allows the Attorney General, following a submission from the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS), to ask a higher court to clarify a point of law but it is not a means of changing the outcome of an individual case.

A CPS spokesman said: “We are considering the outcome of the case but, under the law, the prosecution cannot appeal against a jury acquittal.”

The Attorney General’s Office said Ms Bravermen would be acting in her independent role as the “Guardian of Public Interest” if she did seek a review.