A PETITION to remove a statue in Denbigh of a 'controversial' explorer has gathered more than 1,000 signatures.

The tribute to locally-born Sir Henry Morton (H.M) Stanley was installed by Denbigh Town Council in March 2010.

The sculpture, located outside the library, re-creates the moment he uttered the phrase - "Dr Livingstone, I presume?" - when he found the explorer in east Africa in 1871.

Plans to put up a statue in Sir Stanley’s honour were criticised at the time with those against it claiming the 19th-century explorer was guilty of crimes against humanity and supported slavery.

Now a fresh petition calling for the statue to be removed has been launched by Simon Jones.

Prior to press, more than 1,200 signatures has been collected since its set up over the weekend.

Simon said: "Out of respect to the Black Lives Matter campaign, the statue of Stanley should be removed from Denbigh town centre immediately.

"This man was known for his brutal treatment of Africans to the extent that he used to shoot black children from his boat to calibrate his rifle sights while sailing down river.

"A statue to a man like that has no place in Welsh society in 2020. It is an insult to African people that it stands pride of place in the town."

On Saturday, a peaceful Black Lives Matter protest was held in Denbigh town square.

About 50 people attended and observed social distancing measures.

During the demo, protestors turned their backs on the Stanley statue (below) and some raised a fist, whilst others held up placards.

PICTURE: Alexandra Derwen

Sir Henry Morton Stanley was born under the name John Rowlands in Denbigh on January 28, 1841. He was an explorer, journalist, soldier, colonial administrator, author and politician and became famous for his exploration of central Africa, as well as his search for fellow explorer Dr David Livingstone.

He is mainly known for his search for the source of the Nile, the work he undertook as an agent of King Leopold II of Belgium, which enabled the occupation of the Congo Basin region, and for his command of the Emin Pasha Relief Expedition.

He was knighted in 1899 and died aged 63 just five years later.

Cllr Gwyneth Kensler was one of the people involved in the installing the statue in 2010.

She said: "To get the true facts, not just claims, one must go to the primary sources and this is what Tim Jeal, the biographer of Stanley did; he was one of the first people to gain access to Stanley's archive in Belgium.

"Stanley was dismissed by King Leopold 11 in 1884 for refusing to negotiate treaties with local chiefs requiring the surrender of their land. I urge anyone who wants to know the truth about Stanley and his relationship with King Leopold to read Tim Jeal's biography 'Stanley: The impossible Life of Africa's Greatest Explorer'.

"I certainly believe that Denbigh should have a permanent educational exhibition, conveying Stanley's story, giving full historical context. The statue provides a catalyst for those who are interested in this period to do their own research, starting with Tim Jeal's book."

Denbigh Town Council said they are aware of the petition to remove the statue.

A spokesperson added: "Concerns have been raised regarding the H M Stanley statue located outside the library in Denbigh. Petitions have been created requesting its removal.

"Denbigh Town Council takes this request seriously and will review the situation as soon as possible taking into account the current Covid 19 pandemic and its restrictions.

"The town council will also liaise with the Welsh Assembly in relation to other statues in Wales and the overall consensus of what action needs to be taken."

The petition is here: www.change.org/p/denbigh-town-council-remove-the-statue-of-stanley-from-denbigh-town-centre