National Trust Chief Faces ‘Bizarre’ Death Threats Over Slavery Report
The National Trust’s director general received shocking death threats after a report revealed the organization’s ties to slavery
National Trust, Hilary McGrady, Slavery Report, UK, Death Threats, Culture Wars
Belfast: The head of the National Trust, Hilary McGrady, recently shared that she received some pretty shocking death threats. This all happened after the Trust published a report acknowledging its connections to slavery.
Back in 2020, the National Trust, which is the biggest conservation charity in Europe, revealed that over 90 of its properties had links to slavery and colonialism. This report stirred up quite a bit of controversy.
Many Tory MPs accused the Trust of pushing a “woke agenda” and even called for a review of its funding. Some folks were so upset they threatened to cancel their memberships.
In a recent interview, McGrady talked about the bizarre nature of the threats she received. She mentioned that coming from Northern Ireland gives her a different perspective. She couldn’t believe people were so worked up over this issue.
She pointed out that while some critics said the Trust shouldn’t discuss its colonial past, others felt it wasn’t doing enough. It’s a tough spot to be in.
McGrady, who has been with the Trust for 19 years, noted that the backlash felt more personal this time around. Despite the Trust being one of the UK’s most-loved charities, the tone of the debate has changed.
She also mentioned that the attacks seem to be used to push other agendas, leaving the Trust caught in the middle. It’s a tricky situation for them.
Interestingly, the Trust has been helping other organizations facing similar issues, like the RNLI, which has been criticized for its efforts to rescue asylum-seekers at sea.
As the Trust launches a new 10-year strategy, it aims to tackle climate change and restore nature-rich landscapes across the UK. They’re planning to create a massive area of green space, which is pretty exciting.
McGrady emphasized the importance of balancing housing needs with access to green spaces. They’re working closely with the housing department to ensure that new developments are sustainable and provide a good environment for everyone.