I feel conflicted about the BBC’s decision to reinstate the sculpture by Eric Gill outside its London headquarters, Broadcasting House, knowing as we all do now that he sexually abused his two daughters (BBC reinstalls sculpture by paedophile Eric Gill with new protective screen, 9 April). On the one hand, I am generally against censorship, but on the other hand, I have spent my career researching the massive harms caused by child sexual abuse.
When faced with such dilemmas, I remind myself that I am not the one affected here, and I ask myself what would Gill’s victims – his daughters – make of the BBC’s decision to reinstate the sculpture (at great effort and expense). I think I know the answer.
Dr Bernard Gallagher
Visiting fellow, University of Central Lancashire