Watch as Irvine Welsh addresses Black Lives Matter protest in St Andrew Square

The acclaimed author said “nobody did more to prevent the abolition of slavery” than Henry Dundas.

Irvine Welsh has addressed hundreds of protesters at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square this afternoon.

The video of his speech contains strong language.

The acclaimed author heavily criticised the statue of Henry Dundas, which stands at the top of the Melville Monument in the square, likening the 19th Century politician to Jimmy Savile.

Irvine Welsh has addressed hundreds of protesters at a Black Lives Matter demonstration in Edinburgh’s St Andrew Square this afternoon.

“Rape, torture, paedophilia, castration, and trade of fellow human beings. That is what slavery is, and it’s time to call those things out for what they actually f**king well are,” he told the crowd.

“This f**ker here,” he said, pointing to the statue of Dundas, “is the Real Madrid of slavery, who makes Colston in Bristol look like Bristol Rovers.

“Nobody did more to prevent the abolition of slavery. And make no mistake, they knew this was coming - that’s why they put him so high.

“All this is, is a continuation - it goes right on to this day. The establishment have always protected the nonces and the paedophiles in their midst.

“So imagine a statue of Sir Jimmy Savile, looking down at us with a cigar. Well this is Jimmy Savile times at least a hundred-thousand.

“It’s a f**cking embarrassment,” he added, to huge cheers.

Black Lives Matter supporters have gathered in the square to protest the presence of Dundas’ statue, and to demand wider structural reforms to help end racism in Scotland.

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