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Lewis Chester outside the Primrose Hill house |
Hain backs plaque honour for anti-apartheid fighter
Anger at English Heritage refusal to mark Primrose Hill home
NORTHERN Ireland minister Peter Hain has criticised English Heritage’s refusal to mark the former Primrose Hill home of leading anti-apartheid campaigner the Reverend Michael Scott with a blue plaque.
Journalist and author Lewis Chester, who wrote a biography of Mr Scott, suggested that the house in King Henry’s Road should have a plaque.
Mr Scott, who lived in the house from 1970 until his death in 1983, spent many years in South Africa, where he was active in the anti-apartheid movement. Described as South Africa’s Gandhi, he used non-violent direct action to attack the regime.
But English Heritage’s plaques committee, which includes comedian Stephen Fry and leading historians Professor David Cannadine and Dr Margaret Pelling, has thrown out the request, saying that it would not be appropriate to put the plaque up ahead of one marking the efforts of Bishop Trevor Huddleston, also an anti-apartheid campaigner.
Mr Hain, who led anti-apartheid campaigns in the 1960s and 1970s, said: “A blue plaque would be an excellent way of recognising some of the pioneering work Michael Scott did in the fight against apartheid in an era when the international campaign against apartheid was in its infancy. He was a real pioneer and deserves to be recognised as such.”
In a letter to Mr Chester, the English Heritage blue plaque committee said: “We have concluded that Reverend Scott is of insufficient stature for commemoration. It was felt his significance was overshadowed by that of Trevor Huddleston. It did not seem appropriate to commemorate Scott with a blue plaque ahead of Huddleston, who will become eligible in 2013 (15 years after his death).”
Mr Chester said: “Scott’s work cannot be underestimated. He was a key figure in South African politics. And why shouldn’t there be room for both Scott and Trevor Huddleston to be honoured? It does not have to be a case of either or.”
The decision has been greeted with astonishment by others who knew Mr Scott.
Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament activist Bruce Kent said it was “incomprehensible”. He added: “It is absolutely ridiculous. Scott was an outstanding man. As well as his work in South Africa, he did incredible work in Bangladesh. He was a truly great figure of the 20th century. This is not a competition between Scott and Huddleston. Blue plaques are not rationed. I simply do not understand this decision.”
Mr Scott’s King Henry’s Road flatmate Lorna Richmond – they met while both worked at the Africa Bureau in 1956 – said: “This decision is extraordinary. Trevor became an establishment figure while Michael was not as much in the limelight, but his work was invaluable.
“He was an exceptional person.” |
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