Statue of British Army general in Exeter the latest to have its future reviewed

A statue of a British Army general in Exeter is the latest to have its future reviewed.

The statue of General Sir Redvers Buller commemorates his military victories overseas, but some people are calling for it to be removed over his involvement in the Boer War.

Questions have been raised over whether it is appropriate to continue to glorify what General Buller did in South Africa more than 100 years ago. 

Many statues are coming under renewed scrutiny since the death of George Floyd in the USA and the subsequent Black Lives Matter demonstrations.

General Buller was a decorated military leader and was awarded the Victoria Cross for his gallantry.

He commanded British Forces during the Boer War at the end of the nineteenth century. Historian Dr Todd Gray says statues will always present a problem for future generations as we judge what was celebrated in the past using the values of today.

Similar questions have been raised about statues of Sir Francis Drake in Plymouth and Tavistock.

The leader of Exeter City Council is now calling for a review into the future of General Buller's statue.

The council is hoping to come to a decision on the statue's future in the next two months.