Slavery case against Dundas not cut and dried

Edinburgh University historian Sir Tom Devine’s intervention in the controversy about Sir Henry Dundas shows how difficult it is to draw absolute conclusions about his role in the abolition of the British slave trade.

Sir Tom has re-examined contemporary records and believes there is enough evidence to challenge assumptions he deliberately sought to prolong slavery, as opposed to taking pragmatic measures to preserve steps towards abolition in the face of parliamentary opposition.

“Even from my cursory look at the sources there is enough evidence available in the parliamentary record to suggest… that the accusation of prolonging the slave trade should be revisited,” he told The Times yesterday.

And that includes the wording on the new St Andrew Square plaques about his actions.

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