Family of 18th century Tory politician Henry Dundas claim plaque added to his statue ‘inaccurate’ 

The family of the 18th century Tory politician Henry Dundas are urging councillors to remove a plaque which explains his links to slavery.

Planning officials are recommending that the Melville Monument’s plaque is removed amid claims that it is historically inaccurate and misleading about the ‘contentious figure’.

Edinburgh‘s plaque – which was added following Black Lives Matter protests in 2021 – explains Dundas’ role in delaying the abolition of slavery in the 1800s.

Dundas was Home Secretary in 1792 when William Wilberforce was campaigning to abolish slavery. 

The wording of the plaque was agreed to by Scotland’s first black professor Sir Geoff Palmer and states that Dundas was ‘instrumental’ in deferring abolition with ‘more than half a million enslaved Africans crossing the Atlantic’ as a result. 

In June of 2021, activists left signs at the monument saying ‘Bring down Dundas’, with some, including Sir Geoff Palmer, calling for the contentious plaque to be added 

His critics cite a letter he sent which concludes: ‘I have not time to write more. The time is near five and I must go to oppose the proposals on for abolition of the slave trade.’

But some dispute this version of events, claiming that Dundas pursued the gradual abolition of slavery as a way of ensuring the legislation. 

Bobby Dundas, the Tory politician’s seven-time great-grandson, is understood to be behind the planning application for removing the plaque.

In 2020, Bobby argued that as the bill had already been rejected by the House of Commons, slavery would not have been ended at all without Dundas’ intervention. 

He said Dundas was ‘pragmatic’ and realised the only way to pass the bill and ban slavery was to add the word ‘gradually’.

The Viscount said: ‘Henry Dundas was an abolitionist. He was for the abolition of the slave trade. That has been written about by countless people. But you have to understand in the current climate, what was UK politics and the British Empire.

‘There was one failed attempt to get it through Parliament and the realistic and pragmatic approach that Dundas took was the only way – which many historians have written about – to make sure that the vision and final goal was achieved.’

Edinburgh’s plaque – which was added following Black Lives Matter protests in 2021 – explains Dundas’ role in delaying the abolition of slavery in the 1800s

Dundas was Home Secretary in 1792 when William Wilberforce was campaigning to abolish slavery

Bobby is listed as the sole shareholder of the Committee On The Naval Monument To The Memory of The Late Lord Viscount Melville Ltd, which submitted the application.

The group claimed the plaque was ‘inappropriate and does not provide a factual description of Henry Dundas history’.

Planning officials said: ‘The proposals have special regard to the desirability of preserving the building and its setting and will not adversely impact on its special architectural and historic interest.’

In June of 2021, activists left signs at the monument saying ‘Bring down Dundas’, with some, including Sir Geoff Palmer, calling for the contentious plaque to be added.

Council chiefs approved its installation, with the planning application attracting more than 2,200 comments from members of the public.

The statue of Henry Dundas 1st Viscount Melville on top of a 150ft column, known as the Melville Monument, stands in St Andrews Square, Edinburgh 

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The plaque states: ‘This represents Henry Dundas, 1st Viscount Melville (1742 – 1811). He was the Scottish Lord Advocate and an MP for Edinburgh and Midlothian, and the First Lord of the Admiralty.

‘Dundas was a contentious figure, provoking controversies that resonate to this day.

Bobby Dundas is listed as the sole shareholder of the Committee On The Naval Monument To The Memory of The Late Lord Viscount Melville Ltd, which submitted the application

‘While Home Secretary in 1792 and first Secretary of State for War in 1796 he was instrumental in deferring the abolition of the Atlantic slave trade.

‘Slave trading by British ships was not abolished until 1807.

‘As a result of this delay, more than half a million enslaved Africans crossed the Atlantic.

‘Dundas also curbed democratic dissent in Scotland.

‘Dundas both defended and expanded the British empire, imposing colonial rule on indigenous peoples.

‘He was impeached in the United Kingdom for misappropriation of public money and although acquitted, he never held public office again. Despite this, the monument before you to Henry Dundas was funded by voluntary contribution from officers, petty officers, seamen and marines and erected in 1821, with the statue placed on top in 1827.

‘In 2020 this was dedicated to the memory of the more than half a million Africans whose enslavement was a consequence of Henry Dundas’s actions.’

Source: | This article originally belongs to Dailymail.co.uk