Rolf Harris art on a drain cover to be scrapped

A drain cover which commemorates the visit of disgraced entertainer Rolf Harris to a village should be removed, says the chairman of the parish council.

Mr Neil Stanley, chairman of East Drayton Parish Council, said the matter will be discussed at the next council meeting and said that personally he felt it should go.

The cover, which is in the carpark of the village hall, records a visit made by Harris to the village in 1979. He was convicted on Monday of 12 indecent assaults and is due to be sentenced tomorrow.

Harris 84, was convicted at Southwark Crown Court of the attacks which happened between 1968 and 1986. One of his alleged victims was a friend of his daughter, Bindi. Another was aged seven or eight.

Villager Mr Martin Radford said he felt that it was inappropriate for the cover to remain and has contacted Newark MP Mr Robert Jenrick to ask for his support in the matter.

Mr Jenrick said he had been shocked by the Harris case. He said he agreed it was was not appropriate that a memorial to Harris remained in place and said he would support any moves to remove it.