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Legal society denies it can intervene in row over £1.8 million north-east teaching fund

The Signet Library in Edinburgh, owned and operated by the WS Society
The Signet Library in Edinburgh, owned and operated by the WS Society

A prestigious society of lawyers insists it has “no powers” to decide the future of a £1.8 million north-east teaching fund that was built using the profits from slavery.

Robert Pirrie, chief executive of the Society of Writers to HM Signet, said the organisation had “profound concerns” about the origins of the Dick Bequest.

However, he denied claims it could influence the trustees who currently oversee the cash.

The legal body, also known as the WS Society, appoints half of the 10 governors of the fund.

Wood engraving of African slaves brought To Jamaica.

The bequest was established following the death of Forres-born merchant James Dick almost two centuries ago.

The pot of money has been used to provide grants to teachers and schools in Aberdeenshire and Moray ever since.

Last year, two historians revealed that the money was directly linked to the fortune Mr Dick made as a slave trader in the Caribbean.

Aberdeen University vote

Aberdeen University’s Senate, which previously appointed two of the 10 trustees to the bequest, last week voted to completely end its involvement.

The move has triggered calls for similar action from the other bodies involved in appointing trustees – Moray Council, Aberdeenshire Council and the WS Society.

Historian Dr David Alston.

David Alston, one of the historians who led the research into the Dick Bequest, said the decision of the university’s Senate was “welcome and of national importance”.

“The scandal of the Dick Bequest’s origins and continued activity in the north-east of Scotland is comparable to Bristol’s statue of the slave trader Edward Colston or, in Oxford, Oriel College’s legacy from Cecil Rhodes,” he said.

“This fund was created from the exploitation of enslaved Africans in Jamaica and the funds should now be returned to Jamaica for the future benefit of children there.

‘Anonymous lawyers’

“The decision to do so rests with the remaining governors of the trust, the majority of whom are anonymous senior lawyers appointed to the trust by the Edinburgh-based Society of Writers to the Signet.

“The society, which celebrates its 200th anniversary this year, promotes itself as committed to equality and in recent years it has recognised a number of prominent civil rights lawyers with honorary fellowships.

“It is perhaps time to set its own house in order and follow the example of the University of Aberdeen.”

The Powis Gates in Old Aberdeen are one of the better-known landmarks highlighting Aberdeen’s history with slavery.

However, Mr Pirrie suggested the society could not influence the trustees it had appointed.

“We commend David Alston for his work highlighting the Dick Bequest Trust’s historic links to slavery,” he said.

“The future of the trust is in the hands of its current trustees over whom we have no powers.

“Our society stands ready, along with Aberdeen University and others, to assist the trust address its historic slavery links.

‘Profound concern’

“We have made the trustees aware of our profound concern.”

Earlier this month, members of Aberdeenshire Council’s ruling administration agreed to appoint Councillor Andrew Hassan and Councillor Gordon Lang to the Dick Bequest trust.

However, the alliance was criticised by opposition SNP members and others over the move, amid claims it had failed to take a stand against slavery and the use of “blood money” in local schools.

Mr Hassan last week confirmed he would no longer be accepting the nomination.

It means Aberdeenshire councillors will have to find a new nominee for the role.

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