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Artwork honouring archbishop 'should remain despite indecency claims' | |
(about 7 hours later) | |
An ex-newspaper editor has said work a former archbishop did in South Africa "outweighs" any allegations of gross indecency against the cleric. | An ex-newspaper editor has said work a former archbishop did in South Africa "outweighs" any allegations of gross indecency against the cleric. |
Steve Lowe, who led a campaign to bring a bust of Trevor Huddleston to Bedford in 1999, said the anti-apartheid activist was not a "serial offender". | Steve Lowe, who led a campaign to bring a bust of Trevor Huddleston to Bedford in 1999, said the anti-apartheid activist was not a "serial offender". |
The late archbishop, who admitted patting boys' bare bottoms, was honoured with a blue plaque on Monday. | |
Archbishop Huddleston was investigated by police while the Bishop of Stepney. | Archbishop Huddleston was investigated by police while the Bishop of Stepney. |
The decision to put the plaque up was criticised by Peter Saunders, from the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. | The decision to put the plaque up was criticised by Peter Saunders, from the National Association for People Abused in Childhood. |
Mr Saunders said the police report could be "the tip of a nasty iceberg". | Mr Saunders said the police report could be "the tip of a nasty iceberg". |
'Bare skin' | 'Bare skin' |
In the Scotland Yard report, made in 1974 and viewed by the BBC two years ago, officers suggested charging him with four counts of gross indecency. | In the Scotland Yard report, made in 1974 and viewed by the BBC two years ago, officers suggested charging him with four counts of gross indecency. |
In each case it was alleged he "pulled a boy on to his lap, put his hand underneath his trousers and pants, and fondled his bottom and bare skin". | In each case it was alleged he "pulled a boy on to his lap, put his hand underneath his trousers and pants, and fondled his bottom and bare skin". |
The case was dropped when the Director of Public Prosecutions said there was insufficient evidence. | The case was dropped when the Director of Public Prosecutions said there was insufficient evidence. |
As secretary of the Bedford Anti-Apartheid Group and editor of Bedfordshire on Sunday, Mr Lowe campaigned for the bust of Archbishop Huddleston to be constructed in Bedford. | As secretary of the Bedford Anti-Apartheid Group and editor of Bedfordshire on Sunday, Mr Lowe campaigned for the bust of Archbishop Huddleston to be constructed in Bedford. |
He said "it is still appropriate" for the bust and plaque to be displayed because of the archbishop's "monumental work" in South Africa. | He said "it is still appropriate" for the bust and plaque to be displayed because of the archbishop's "monumental work" in South Africa. |
How Archbishop Huddleston's bust came to Bedford: | How Archbishop Huddleston's bust came to Bedford: |
"He has not been accused of abuse, either sexual or physical, and was never charged," said Mr Lowe. | "He has not been accused of abuse, either sexual or physical, and was never charged," said Mr Lowe. |
"These crimes, if they were crimes, were at a time when young boys sitting on adult men's laps was not unheard of." | "These crimes, if they were crimes, were at a time when young boys sitting on adult men's laps was not unheard of." |
Mr Lowe added: "It is not like Jimmy Savile, nothing approaching that. | Mr Lowe added: "It is not like Jimmy Savile, nothing approaching that. |
"It was wrong, no doubt about it. As a parent, I would be very angry, but the work he did in South Africa outweighs this particular crime, were it even a crime. | "It was wrong, no doubt about it. As a parent, I would be very angry, but the work he did in South Africa outweighs this particular crime, were it even a crime. |
"There are not many great men around who haven't done one or two things they might not be proud of." | "There are not many great men around who haven't done one or two things they might not be proud of." |
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