Plea: Raymond Scott at home last week

The man accused of stealing a £15million Shakespeare manuscript made an emotive plea last night to ‘free the books’ from Durham University’s library.

Book dealer Raymond Scott, 51, lives just 12 miles from the university in Washington, Tyne and Wear.

In a letter to his local paper, he claims the university’s priceless archives are nothing more than ‘redundant relics’ and should be sold off and the money ploughed back into the local community.

Writing in The Journal, Mr Scott said: ‘Sold on the open market, these redundant relics would raise billions which could benefit the university itself and the people of County Durham, which is still a deprived area.

'I think any fair-minded person will find this morally repugnant.

‘It has been said that it is essential for scholarship that all these books are under one roof, but I and many others dispute the relevance of this when, these days, everything can be recorded electronically.

‘Indeed, the very physical handling of these fragile keepsakes is strongly discouraged.

'I say, “Free the books.”’

Mr Scott was arrested just over a week ago after asking the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington DC to verify a First Folio he said he had been given in Cuba.

It is alleged that the rare anthology of Shakespeare’s plays is the same copy that was stolen from Durham University ten years ago.

He denies the claims and was released on bail without charge the next day.

In a clear bid to retain ownership of the manuscript, his letter to the newspaper also said: ‘Durham University just want another rare book to salt away in their ivory tower, for no one who is not part of the university can enter its hallowed portals.

‘Apparently, the £15million Shakespeare book is just the tip of a gargantuan iceberg of rare books hoarded by them, miser fashion.’

Professor Chris Higgins, Vice Chancellor of Durham University, said last night: ‘Bishop John Cosin established his library at Palace Green in the 17th Century with the aim of making his books available to the public and this continues to be the case.

‘Durham University is custodian of many priceless treasures and we ensure they receive the specialist care and attention needed to preserve them for future generations, including residents of the North East.

‘Thousands of scholars and members of the public have access to our libraries and archives every year, whether through private study or by visiting our regular exhibitions.’

There are known to be 230 surviving copies of Shakespeare’s First Folio.

But experts say it’s highly unlikely that any two copies would be exactly the same.