It is astonishing to me that in the current brouhaha concerning the plaque on the Melville monument that no mention has been made of the judicial oppression of democratic reformers that was orchestrated by Henry Dundas and his nephew Robert, whom Uncle Henry ensured was appointed lord advocate.

The appalling persecution of the Scottish advocate Thomas Muir, who was transported to Australia for having the temerity to express reforming views, and many others ensured that Henry Dundas was despised and reviled in Scotland.

His effigy was burnt in almost every village and town in the country. In Crieff, it was even given a trial – no doubt fairer than that afforded to poor Muir before the notorious Lord Braxfield.

The conduct of Robert Dundas in the prosecution of Muir was a disgrace – his speech to the jury could have been a template for the hysterical Nazi and Soviet prosecutors Feisler and Vyshinsky.

Henry Dundas was the ‘uncrowned king of Scotland’ sitting at the centre of web of partronage and corruption, oppression and religious discrimination.

I find the current lack of attention paid to the repressive behaviour of Henry Dundas in Scotland both regrettable and curious.

May I suggest the erection of another plaque upon the memorial rehearsing the wicked oppression visited upon the people of Scotland by this vile man – or better still its demolition altogether.

Alexander Knox
Arbroath