UK: BBC restore statue created by a confessed paedophile

A campaigner against child sexual abuse has slammed the BBC for restoring a statue created by a confessed paedophile.

The statue by Eric Gill, a sculptor who admitted sexually abusing his daughters in diaries that were later published, was carved during 1931 and 1932 - one of his many high-profile works.

Following the 1989 revelation of his persistent abuse of his children alongside an incestuous relationship with his sister and sexual activity with the family dog, calls have been made for the statue to be removed from the BBC's London headquarters, Broadcasting House.

The Grade II-listed statue was attacked and damaged by a man with a hammer in 2022 and will now be restored with funds from the BBC's insurance policy.

Dawn Carrington, a long-time sexual abuse campaigner who has previously worked with the corporation, said: 'The decision to restore this statue by a paedophile is a smack in the face to the BBC's audience and employees, an estimated one in five of whom have experienced at least one form of child abuse, 3.1million of which were victims of sexual abuse.

'It's abhorrent that an evil man who confessed to sexually abusing his daughters, sisters and his dog should be celebrated in this way - it should be torn down.'

The repairs, which are being funded by insurance payments, are expected to be completed by the end of June and are being carried out by expert stonemasons.

A QR code will be installed nearby, which it is understood will refer to the backlash against Gill following revelations made in his biography, however it will not refer specifically to what these revelations were or the abuses he committed.

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