Review of Bradford statues finds 'no direct links' to slave trade

However, Bradford Council has acknowledged that money generated through the slave trade funded parts of the industrial revolution that made Bradford one of the world’s richest cities.

The review was commissioned by Bradford Council Leader Susan Hinchcliffe after the toppling of the statue of prominent slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol, and subsequent national debate over whether people who became rich from trading in human lives should be celebrated with monuments.

This debate led to calls across the country for statues of people linked to the slave trade to be removed from public spaces.

In Bradford there was a petition to remove the statue of Sir Robert Peel in Peel Park over concerns he was linked to the slave trade.

However, there were also petitions for the statue to remain, and questions raised over whether Peel had any direct links to the slave trade, as his father had.

The first stage of the review will be published next month.

Robert Peel statue removal petition emerges in wider movement

It found that although figures like Titus Salt and William Forster had no direct link to slavery, “wealth produced through slavery funded key aspects of technology in the industrial revolution and so forms the backdrop to our local story and should be recognised.”

In contrast to some areas of the Country, many statues in Bradford celebrated historic figures with more liberal policies.

A Council statement said: “The review has uncovered a picture of Bradford as a stronghold of non-conformist philanthropists, many of whom were abolitionists, and as a place that has produced examples of pioneering work in terms of diversity that we can be proud of.”

The second part of the review will look into the role black and minority groups helped shape the district’s history, and how this should be celebrated.

A Council spokesman said: “In common with the rest of the country, the review has recognised that much of the wealth of individual families, businesses, institutions and the monarchy during Britain’s colonial period is reflected in Bradford’s history and in the buildings and monuments to ‘famous’ people across the district.”

Charles Dacres, independent chair of the review, said: “This review will not only help us place our district’s statues in context, but will help us understand much more about the contribution black people have made to the history of Bradford.

“What we have found so far is that the main historical figures who feature as public statues have strong links to cultural, social and scientific advancement that show Bradford in a positive light.

“But we need to better recognise and explain the wider history of our district and the major role that people from our black and other diverse communities have made to that. How we do that will form the second part of the review.”

Cllr Hinchcliffe said: “I want to thank everyone who has contributed to the first phase of this hugely important review.

“Statues and monuments of historical figures occupy a powerful place in civic life. Since the toppling of the Edward Colston statue in Bristol, people have rightly questioned why the statue of a slave trader should stand in a public place in 21st century Britain.

“The review will help us understand not just our statues, but also the major contribution black people have made to our district’s history.

“We know this is an untold story in Bradford and recognising this contribution is vital.

"They are stories we want to tell more fully through educational tools and materials, and through our museums. It must not ignore or excuse atrocities that are linked to slavery and colonialism which are part of Britain’s past.

“I would like to see this work continue, celebrating our diverse local history will make us a more confident city, proud of our place in the world. We have an ambition to do more about the People’s History of Bradford and this review has been an excellent opportunity to start to make that ambition a reality.”