The artwork of the judge hitting a protester with a judges gavel by the graffiti artist Banksy has been scrubbed off with chemicals (Picture: Tom Bowles)
A Banksy artwork portraying a judge striking a protester with a gavel has been removed off the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice in London.
The Metropolitan Police cordoned off the mural, boarded it up with metal gates, as crowds gathered to take pictures.
Security officers stood guard either side while a worker scrubbed it off with chemicals.
It had been less than 24 hours since the graffiti by the anonymous artist was first spotted.
The image was uploaded Monday on his Instagram account as proof of its authenticity, with Banksy simply writing: ‘Royal Courts of Justice. London.’
Showing a protester, holding a blank placard with splatters of blood, lying on the ground as a judge wearing a traditional gown and wig wields a gavel over them, it is thought to criticise the crackdown on protests in solidarity with Palestine Action in the UK.
The mural was painted days after almost 900 people were detained during a protest in London opposing the government’s proscription of the group.
Palestine Action was designated a terrorist organisation in July after two of its members broke into a British military base and sprayed red paint on two aircraft.
The Banksy mural before it was destroyed (Picture: Getty)
The decision to place the group on the same footing as Al Qaeda has been criticised by human rights groups and is being challenged in the courts by Palestine Action.
While Banksy has not confirmed the meaning behind the stenciled piece, the timing suggest the connection.
Responding to the work, a spokesperson for campaign group Defend Our Juries, which organised Saturday’s demonstration said in a statement that it ‘powerfully depicts the brutality unleashed by [the then-UK Home Secretary] Yvette Cooper on protesters by proscribing Palestine Action’.
The Metropolitan Police said in a statement: ‘On Monday, officers received a report of criminal damage to the side of the Royal Courts of Justice. Inquiries continue.’
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The court service has since confirmed that it is legally obliged to maintain the character of the building because of its listed status.
The 143-year-old complex ‘is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character,’ the service said in a statement.
Where to see Banksy graffiti in London
Here are a few locations across London where Banksy has left their mark, but Metro has also prepared a map for the real fans.
Brick Lane – three swinging monkeys below an Overground line
Walthamstow – two pelicans eating fish on the side of Bonner’s Fish Bar in Northcote Road
Chelsea – two elephant silhouettes with their trunks stretched out towards each other in Edith Grove
Stoke Newington – the Royal Family waving on a balcony in Stoke Newington
Finsbury Park – a large tree mural in Hornsey Road
Mayfair – the Falling Shopper artwork in Bruton Street
Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.
For more stories like this, check our news page.
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