Gormley statue not choice of the people

AT last we have the true cost of the so called statue on West Hoe Pier, Plymouth. If you had asked anybody in Plymouth to guess the cost, most would have said £100,000, including installation, bearing in mind it was a ‘Sir Antony Gormley’ creation.

No wonder Tudor Evans has been so secretive over the true cost; excusing himself that he had made a confidentiality agreement with Sir Anthony, and it was a world class art work. Trying to cover up the cost is surely a misuse of power.

Also, instead of giving the people of Plymouth something to be proud of, he has brought criticism and derision. Visiting family and friends have asked me, “What is it supposed to be and why was it put there?”

It sums up the council leader’s lack of understanding of art; it seems this was a personal ego trip that has gone expensively wrong.

In hindsight, the council could have announced a competition if they wanted a world class statue to commemorate Mayflower 400. The news would have travelled worldwide and artists and sculptors could have submitted their ideas, together with a quotation of cost.

Our councillors could have selected the best three entries and then allowed the people of Plymouth to decide with a vote, so that a people’s choice could have selected the winner. That would have been more democratic and people would have accepted it – at a lot less cost than the £764,000 spent.

Mike Turpitt Oreston, Plymouth