Plans to rename an area in Highgate ‘Boris Nemtsov Place’

• I WAS very pleased to see your coverage of Camden Council’s suggestion to rename the junction of Highgate Road, Highgate West Hill and Swains Lane “Boris Nemtsov Place”, (Camden set to name Highgate road after Russian pro-democracy campaigner Boris Nemtsov).

He was an extraordinarily brave campaigner against Vladimir Putin’s dictatorship and it is entirely fitting that he should be commemorated.

Nemtsov was – after all – gunned down close to the Kremlin walls less than two days before he was due to take part in a peace rally against Russian involvement in the war in Ukraine.

It was even more heartening to see the support the suggestion has gained from so many local people. I loved the comment from the Bournes fishmonger, Greg Ivison, who said: “I love the fact it is clearly sticking two fingers up at Vladimir Putin. I don’t know if it’s the right spot for it in terms of London, but I welcome it here. There are a few Ukrainian people who come in and it is a great way to show our support and solidarity.”

Camden has a long history of honouring its political heroes. It renamed Selous Street (originally commemorating a poet, but confused with a colonial officer) after Nelson Mandela.

Today a 50ft high mural of the African National Congress leader, freedom fighter, and president of South Africa, adorns the side of one of the buildings. Everyone loves it.

Perhaps we will one day see a similar memorial to Boris Nemtsov near the junction to be named after him? It would be a fitting statement to the Russian trade delegation just up the road.

MARTIN PLAUT, NW5