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Robert Baden-Powell: Scouts founder statue to be removed in Poole | |
(32 minutes later) | |
A statue of the man who founded the Scouts movement is being removed from Poole Quay amid fears it is on a "target list for attack". | |
BCP Council said it was removing the Robert Baden-Powell statue for its protection on police advice. | BCP Council said it was removing the Robert Baden-Powell statue for its protection on police advice. |
The authority said it recognised some aspects of his life were considered "less worthy of commemoration". | The authority said it recognised some aspects of his life were considered "less worthy of commemoration". |
The statue was installed in 2008 and faces Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, where the Scouts began. | |
Baden-Powell has been criticised by campaigners who have accused him of racism, homophobia and support for Adolf Hitler. | Baden-Powell has been criticised by campaigners who have accused him of racism, homophobia and support for Adolf Hitler. |
Former Bournemouth East Labour parliamentary candidate Corrie Drew was one of those calling for the monument to be taken down, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. | Former Bournemouth East Labour parliamentary candidate Corrie Drew was one of those calling for the monument to be taken down, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said. |
Speaking on BBC Breakfast, she said: "A quick look into his history shows that he was very open about his views against homosexuality and that he was a very open supporter of Hitler and of fascism and quite a strong outspoken racist. | |
"We can commemorate the positive work without commemorating the man." | |
BCP (Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole) Council leader Vikki Slade said the life-size statue was being removed later on Thursday and put into safe storage. | |
"We have had police advice that this statue is on a target list for attack and due to its proximity to the water and its delicate and historic nature I was asked to approve its temporary removal," she said. | "We have had police advice that this statue is on a target list for attack and due to its proximity to the water and its delicate and historic nature I was asked to approve its temporary removal," she said. |
The council said it acknowledged the differing views of the life activities of Baden-Powell and planned to properly involve all relevant communities and groups in discussions about its future. | The council said it acknowledged the differing views of the life activities of Baden-Powell and planned to properly involve all relevant communities and groups in discussions about its future. |
It said Dorset County Scouts had been advised and supported the position. | It said Dorset County Scouts had been advised and supported the position. |
A spokesman for the Scout Association said: "We look forward to discussing this matter with the council to make an informed decision on what happens next." | |
On Sunday, protesters at an anti-racism demonstration in Bristol tore down the statue of Edward Colston and dumped it in the city's harbour. | On Sunday, protesters at an anti-racism demonstration in Bristol tore down the statue of Edward Colston and dumped it in the city's harbour. |
A statue of noted slaveholder Robert Milligan has also been removed from outside the Museum of London Docklands. | A statue of noted slaveholder Robert Milligan has also been removed from outside the Museum of London Docklands. |
In Oxford, thousands of people peacefully protested to remove the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes on Tuesday as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. | In Oxford, thousands of people peacefully protested to remove the statue of British imperialist Cecil Rhodes on Tuesday as part of the Black Lives Matter movement. |