UK Ministry of Justice spent more than £85,000 removing Banksy mural from the Royal Courts of Justice

The UK Ministry of Justice spent £85,300 removing a Banksy mural from London’s Grade II-listed Royal Courts of Justice after it appeared in September and was verified by the artist on Instagram. The mural showed a judge in a wig and robe striking a demonstrator with a gavel, with blood splattering the protest placard, and was quickly covered as HM Courts and Tribunals Service said it must preserve the building’s original character. Figures disclosed to the BBC via Freedom of Information requests show £50,000 was spent on chemical scrubbing and £35,300 on overtime and security. The Metropolitan Police investigation remains open with no arrests, and a spokesperson confirmed on 10 August that “no arrests have been made and the investigation remains on.” The article also notes Westminster Council has spent almost £60,000 on barriers, administration, and security for a Banksy statue that appeared on Waterloo Place in April, with a decision on permanence expected “by the end of the summer.”

Read the full article at The Art Newspaper - International art news and events