Who was Robert Baden-Powell and why is his statue being removed from Poole Harbour?
The statue is set to be ‘put into safe storage’.
A statue of Robert Baden-Powell in Poole will be removed for the time being amid worries that protestors could target it.
Police advised that the statue be temporarily taken down amid fears that its presence could spark ‘disorder or anti-social behaviour’.
With the statue set to be ‘put into safe storage’, here’s a brief look at Robert Baden-Powell and why his statue is thought to be at risk.
Who was Robert Baden-Powell?
Lieutenant General Robert Stephenson Smyth Baden-Powell, born in 1857, was a British Army officer who served in Africa and, in 1907, launched the Scouts in Dorset.
He also co-founded the Girl Scouts/Guides with his sister Agnes.
The now-controversial statue of Baden-Powell was put up in Poole to mark the 100-year anniversary of the movement.
This statue is thought to be at risk in the wake of a sculpture of slave trader Edward Colston being toppled down and thrown into the Bristol harbour in the midst of protests against police brutality and systemic racism in the wake of the killing of George Floyd.
Black Lives Matter supporters have since added Baden-Powell’s statue to its ‘topple the racists’ list, citing concerns over his ‘Nazi sympathies’.
Indeed, in 1939 he wrote in his diary: ‘Lay up all day. Read Mein Kampf. A wonderful book, with good ideas on education, health, propaganda, organisation etc.’
In 2010, declassified MI5 files revealed that Baden-Powell was invited to meet Adolf Hitler after holding talks about creating ties with the Hitler Youth.
On top of that, some modern historians have taken issue with the fact that, during his time serving in Africa, he is said to have starved locals to he could feed his own soldiers.
Baden-Powell was once also accused of illegally executing Matabele chief Uwini in 1896. Chief Uwini was a prisoner of war who had been promised that, on the condition of his surrender, he would be allowed to live.
Baden-Powell was however cleared of the accusations by a military court of inquiry.
Council leader Vikki Slade said in a statement on the subject of the statue’s removal on Wednesday: ‘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.’
Even with Baden-Powell’s evidently less-than-spotless history, there are some who don’t want to see the statue taken down.
Former Queen’s Scout Len Bannister told ITV: ‘If they want to knock this down – they’ll have to knock me down first. It’s absolutely crazy. Who’s it that actually wants to do it? I’ll fight them off.
‘I’m actually very angry – and I’m not a protester. I’ve had a lot of enjoyment because of him in my life because of him.
‘He is the reason I am still here, the pleasure he gives to so many people, they shouldn’t take it down, I will fight them off.’
Meanwhile a Scouts spokesperson has said: ‘We are aware that Baden-Powell’s statue is being removed from Poole Harbour today.
‘We look forward to discussing this matter with Poole Council to make an informed decision on what happens next.
‘Baden-Powell was the founder of the Scout movement. Currently there are over 54 million Scouts in the world and we operate in almost every nation on earth, promoting tolerance and global solidarity.
‘The Scout movement is resolute in its commitment to inclusion and diversity and members continually reflect and challenge ourselves in how we live our values.’
MORE: Slave trader Edward Colston statue fished out of Bristol harbour before it goes into museum
MORE: When was slavery abolished and how many statues of slave traders are there in the UK?
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