A STATUE of the man who launched the Scouts will be removed today after pressure from lefty campaigners. Robert Baden-Powell’s sculpture will be placed in storage by a council after concerns over his “Nazi sympathies”. There are also fears among cops in Poole, Dorset, that the site could spark “disorder or anti-social behaviour”. The statue […]
A STATUE of the man who launched the Scouts will be removed today after pressure from lefty campaigners.
Robert Baden-Powell’s sculpture will be placed in storage by a council after concerns over his “Nazi sympathies”.
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There are also fears among cops in Poole, Dorset, that the site could spark “disorder or anti-social behaviour”.
The statue was erected in 2008 – which was 100 years after Baden-Powell launched the Boy Scout movement.
On 1 August 1907 20 boys pitched their tents on Brownsea Island, in Poole harbour, effectively founding the worldwide movement.
But he later became sympathetic to Hitler, writing in his diary of 1939: “Lay up all day. Read Mein Kampf.
“A wonderful book, with good ideas on education, health, propaganda, organisation etc.”
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council have been advised to put the statue in storage by the police.
They fear similar protests and violence as seen in demonstrations in the past week across Britain.
Council leader Vikki Slade said: “Whilst famed for the creation of the Scouts, we also recognise that there are some aspects of Robert Baden-Powell’s life that are considered less worthy of commemoration.
“Therefore, we are removing the statue so that we can properly involve all relevant communities and groups in discussions about its future, including whether a more educational presentation of his life in a different setting might be more appropriate.”
The council claims that Dorset County Scouts was “supportive” of its decision.
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But Andrew Williams, the chairman of Poole Scout District Executive, said he wasn’t contacted about the shock move.
One local resident wrote online: “This is nothing short of being bullied into making bad decisions.
“Baden-Powell has made a massive contribution to children and young people’s lives, from all over the world and to play to the hands of bullies to gain some sort of favour is downright irresponsible.
“Where are the voices of local people who worked hard to get the statue in place. Scouting and guiding is open to all, equally.
“Surely that should be celebrated. Stop the nonsense before it’s too late and give it proper public consultation.”
It follows the removal of the statue of 17th century slave trader Edward Colston during anti-racism protests in Bristol on Sunday.
Meanwhile, the US state of Virginia is removing a statue of Confederate General Robert E Lee, which has been vandalised in the George Floyd protests.
Protesters have drawn up a map mentioning 60 statues and road names across the UK they want to be pulled down or renamed.
The list of the “racist” statues include memorials of Captain Cook and Wetherspoons pubs named after slave owners has been put up on a website called Topple the Racists.
The group said: “We believe these statues and other memorials to slave-owners and colonialists need to be removed so that Britain can finally face the truth about its past – and how it shapes our present.”
Two statues of wartime Prime Minister Winston Churchill have already been targeted.
The one in Parliament Squared was vandalised on June 7 while another in located in Woodford Green in northeast London has also been attacked.
Edward Colston’s statue in Bristol has already been targeted with protesters tearing it down at the weekend and then throwing it into a river.
