Plymouth slave trader square name change to go ahead

Danny Bamping objected to replacing the name of 16th Century slave trader Sir John Hawkins

A council will rename a public square in memory of a black footballer after an appeal by a man claiming the plan was "racist" was rejected.

Danny Bamping appeared in court earlier to appeal a council decision to rename John Hawkins Square in Plymouth, Devon.

He claimed the local authority did not follow the correct process and were "over-reaching their power".

The local authority denied Mr Bamping's accusations and described his remarks as "inflammatory".

The council wants to rename the square after Jack Leslie who played for Plymouth Argyle for 14 years and is the club's fourth highest goalscorer of all time.

Mr Bamping said it was "racist" because it was based on the colour of the player's skin in response to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Jack Leslie joined Plymouth Argyle in 1921 and played there for 14 years

In court, Mr Bamping claimed that councils could only make alterations to an existing name, rather than rename a street.

He accused Plymouth City Council of not properly consulting with Mr Leslie's family and claimed the authority was "over-reaching their power".

Danny Bamping said Hawkins' role as slave-trader should not be judged "by today's morals"

Representing the council, Charlotte Davies said it had followed the law governing street naming and had received written approval from Mr Leslie's family.

Councillor Chris Penberthy told the court Mr Bamping's suggestion that the council was setting a "dangerous precedent" was "inflammatory".

Jack Leslie played for Plymouth Argyle for 14 years and is the club's fourth highest goalscorer of all time.

He was set to become the first black player to represent England in 1925, but was denied the opportunity when selectors were told he was a black man.

Following the ruling, Mr Penberthy confirmed the name change would go ahead as planned. Mr Bamping said he would appeal this decision.

District Judge Jo Matson told Mr Bamping he faced an order to pay the council's costs of more than £8,000.

He delayed the decision to a hearing on 18 December to find out more details about his ability to pay.