MP Mhairi backs mum’s campaign to bring Knife Angel sculpture to Paisley

Politician in talks with council to secure emotional artwork

MP Mhairi Black is backing a Paisley mum’s efforts to bring a Knife Angel sculpture to the town in memory of her son, who was stabbed to death.

Allison Kelly, 66, hopes the giant structure made from confiscated blades will honour 32-year-old Paul, who was killed outside a pub on New Year’s Eve in 2007.

The striking artwork tours the country but there are currently no plans to bring it north of the border.

But Allison, from Seedhill, is determined to bring it to the heart of Paisley and has secured the backing of MP Mhairi Black.

Mhairi told the Paisley Daily Express: “I recently met with one of my constituents who highlighted the Knife Angel to me.

“Her son tragically died in a knife attack and has asked for my support in bringing the sculpture to Renfrewshire. “

“I contacted Renfrewshire Council regarding this and the conversations have been positive.

“It is my hope that we will see the sculpture here in the future.”

“Highlighting the devastation that knife crime can cause for families and educating people on the matter can only help in preventing knife crime in the future.”

Wrought by artist Alfie Bradley from thousands of knives surrendered to or confiscated by police, the angel is described as a “monument against violence and aggression”.

It is accompanied on its tour by educational activities highlighting the true impact of carr ying knives.

Allison added: “I want to bring the Knife Angel to Paisley as a way of educating young people on the dangers of carrying a knife. It has never been to Scotland.

“I know lots of places have problems with knife crime but Paisley has had its own share of tragedies, so I think bringing it here outside Paisley Abbey would be a good place.

“It’s not just the sculpture, it is all the educational work that goes in around it in schools which is important.

“Our family was devastated by knife crime and we don’t want it to happen to anyone else’s family.”

Tragic Paul was celebrating New Year in Bath, when his friends became involved in an argument with a group of men and women.

The row became a brawl in the lane next to the pub and in the melee Paul was stabbed multiple times.

A post mortem revealed that Paul died of stab wounds to the abdomen.

More than 20 people were thought to have witnessed the fatal brawl.

A year later, knife fiend Nathan Dixon was acquitted by a jury of causing tragic Paul’s death.

However, he has since been caged for 15 years after stabbing a childhood friend.

I want to bring the Knife Angel to Paisley as a way of educating on the dangers of carrying a knife