Alleged ‘racism’ as Moray Council cuts ties with ‘slave trade’ fund

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A racist row has erupted at Moray Council after a unanimous decision to sever ties with an education trust built on profits from slavery.

Neil McLennan resigned from Dick Bequest’s governing trust on Thursday, hours before joining other Moray advisers in voting to cut ties with the $1.8 million fund.

The former co-leader of the local authority said he took the decision because he believed it was now ‘unlikely’ he would be able to bring about ‘positive change’ within of the trust.

One of the reasons he cited was his concern over “what appeared to be racist comments about the trust and its origins” that had been directed at him by others on the council.

Mr McLennan, who said he did not feel supported in his attempts to reform the trust, did not name those he accused of making racist comments.

However, he wrote to council leader Kathleen Robertson detailing the allegations.

“They should be ashamed”

“They should be ashamed. They know who they are,” he said.

Councilor Robertson said: “I can confirm that I have received Councilor McLennan’s resignation from the Dick Bequest Trust and will deal appropriately with any matters arising from his correspondence.”

The Dick Bequest was created following the death of Forres-born merchant James Dick nearly two centuries ago.

Seat of Moray Council. Image: Moray Council.

Since then, the kitty has been used to provide grants to teachers and schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray.

Uncertain future

His future has been uncertain since two historians revealed the money was directly linked to the fortune Mr Dick made as a slave trader in the Caribbean.

He had a business partnership with Robert Milligan, whose statue was removed by the Museum of London from its plinth in London’s Docklands, amid outpouring of anger across the country over the UK’s lingering ties United and slavery.

Workers dismantle a statue of slave owner Robert Milligan at West India Quay, London Image: Yui Mok/PA Wire

Historians, David Alston and Donald Morrison, have called for the money to be redirected to benefit the Jamaican education system.

The bequest is overseen by 10 governors appointed by the University of Aberdeen, the Edinburgh-based WS Society and the councils of Aberdeenshire and Moray.

However, recent decisions by the university and the WS Society meant that only the two local authorities had yet to terminate their connections.

At a full meeting of Moray Council on Thursday, a motion was passed stating that the authority agreed that “it is time to sever ties with the Dick Bequest”.

He had been tabled by SNP councilors Jrmie Fernandes and John Stuart.

Councilor Jérémie Fernandes. Unknown. Image: Jeremiah Fernandes

Advisers also asked officials to communicate to the Dick Bequest Trust’s board that they no longer wish to appoint a governor to the board and to reiterate their demand for the program to be liquidated.

The move represents another blow to the beleaguered trust, although it currently continues to have a ‘full complement’ of trustees, although the organizations involved have said they will not appoint more in the future.

When Mr McLennan revealed he was stepping down from the bequest, he said: ‘I had hoped to take on this role to embrace positive change within the trust, including appropriate redistribution of funds.

“It is important that repairs and restoration take place and that Scotland recognizes its role in the heinous slave trade.”

He added: “I was concerned about what appeared to be racist comments regarding the trust and its origins and reported them.”

Movement

Tabling his motion at the council meeting, Mr Fernandes said: ‘For any organization to have ties to the slave trade is, in my view, morally wrong.’

He added: “Moray Council as an organization should not condone the use of slave trade money for any purpose.

“The Dick Bequest has become a bit toxic and two high profile organizations have now declined to name.

“It is obvious that change from within is impossible. There is an element of reputational damage to maintaining ties with the fund.

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