A council leader has said the statue of north Shropshire-born Clive of India should remain in Shrewsbury, ahead of a council debate on the controversial figure.

Shropshire Council supremo Councillor Peter Nutting said an information board could instead be put up next to the statue in The Square to help people learn about Clive and form their own opinions.

Petitions calling for the removal of the sculpture have amassed over 20,000 signatures over the last week, while a rival petition saying it should stay has so far gathered 7,000.

Under Shropshire Council policy, a debate is triggered once a petition reaches 1,000 signatures, and this is likely to take place at the next meeting of the full council on July 16.

Critics say Clive, a former Shrewsbury MP and mayor, should no longer be commemorated in such a prominent position due to his his part in establishing British colonial control of India and large parts of south east Asia, amassing a huge personal fortune through corruption and theft of the region’s treasures.

But Councillor Nutting, who also sits on Shrewsbury Town Council and was mayor of Shrewsbury between 2018 and 2019, said removing the statue could be perceived as trying to erase part of the town’s past.

“As the leader of Shropshire Council and following careful consideration of arguments for and against its removal, I now believe that the statue of Robert Clive in The Square in Shrewsbury should remain in place,” said Councillor Nutting.

“Over the last few days I have listened carefully to the arguments for and against its removal and I am well aware of the strength of feeling on both sides of the argument.

“I have also had a large amount of letters and calls from members of the public which mostly support the retention of this important part of our local history."

Calls for the statue to be removed were sparked earlier this month when Black Lives Matter protestors in Bristol tore down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston and dumped it in a harbour.

It sparked attacks on other monuments across the country and a fierce debate on whether statues of people with links to slavery, colonialism and racism still have a place.

Councillor Nutting said the council “fully supported” the sentiment behind the Black Lives Matter movement.

He added: “We have remained quiet up to now, partly as we were keen to listen and learn more, but largely as Shropshire Council has always believed that all lives matter – whatever a person’s race, gender, sexuality or colour of their skin.

“We condemn racism and hate crime and with the support of colleagues and partners work hard to stamp them out."

About 50 men gathered to ‘protect’ the Clive statue on Saturday, including former BNP leader Nick Griffin.

David Parton, who started one of the two petitions for the statue to be removed, said Clive should be moved to Shrewsbury Museum and his prominent position be taken up by someone more worthy of celebration.

“I am heartened Shropshire Council has listened to the people, and is taking their concerns about Clive’s position in pride of place in Shrewsbury seriously," he said.