Friends of Ian Walters, the sculptor whose statue of Nelson Mandela was unveiled in Parliament Square last week, were sad that his death last year prevented him from enjoying his moment in the limelight. But they noted that it was not the first time he had been the centre of attention. Mr Walters was one of seven Guildford Art College lecturers sacked for supporting a 1968 student sit-in. After a campaign supported by Jack Straw - who was president of the National Unions of Students at the time - the group was reinstated in 1971. "He was a man of steadfast principle as well as a great artist," said Peter Hall, another of the seven.