New Banksy mural ‘in solidarity with Palestine Action’ scrubbed off

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

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 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.

The HM Courts and Tribunal Services confirmed that the artwork would be removed because of the historical significance of the building.

The 143-year-old complex ‘is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character,’ the service said in a statement.

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