Row erupts over plan to commemorate Enoch Powell's life
The idea of controversial Conservative MP Enoch Powell being awarded a blue plaque has led to fears of it being vandalised
Plans to commemorate the life of Enoch Powell with a blue plaque in his former constituency have been hit with threats to rip down or deface it.
Powell, who became one of the 20th century's most divisive British politicians after his 'Rivers of Blood' speech on immigration in 1968, served Wolverhampton South West from 1950 to 1974.
Wolverhampton's Civic and Historical Society received the bid, saying it would be judged on a 'non-political' basis and was among a backlog of 35 applications set to be considered by its blue plaques committee.
Wolverhampton's blue plaques secretary, Barry Hodgson, told the Daily Telegraph that there had been threats to remove the plaque: 'One person has already written on the blog that if we put it up he will take it down. It could well be a target for vandalism.'
Wolverhampton currently has 103 blue plaques.
Blue plaques are placed on the homes or significant places of important and historical figures around the country.
The Express & Star in Wolverhampton asked readers to vote on whether they thought the plaque was a good idea - and found 68 per cent of voters believed Powell should have a plaque.
Mr Hodgson said a 'tentative' application for a plaque featuring a three-dimensional image of Powell had recently been renewed.
Blue plaques are placed on the homes or significant places of important and historical figures around the country (pictured: Ralph Steadman's plaque)
Mr Hodgson said: 'My personal opinion is that we shouldn't be sanitising our history,' reports the Daily Telegraph.
He added that the plaque would not be used to praise Enoch's controversial speech, but rather to remember his historical significance.
However, MPs in the area have slammed the idea. Emma Reynolds, Wolverhampton North East MP, said: 'His 'Rivers of Blood' speech in 1968 sought to sow division but thankfully all of his predictions have been proved wrong.
'A blue plaque would send out all the wrong messages about Wolverhampton,' reports the Express & Star.
Wolverhampton Civic and Historical Society has already received a promise of £1,000 to pay for the plaque, according to the Daily Telegraph.