Mural of judge beating protester removed

A MURAL by the anonymous street artist Banksy portraying a judge beating a protester with a gavel will be removed from the wall outside a London court, according to the British court service.

- ANNABELLE TIMSIT and ANDREW JEONG

The mural shows a protester with a bloody picket sign lying on the ground as a judge wearing a traditional gown and wig wields a gavel over them. The image was uploaded on Monday on the Instagram account of Banksy, who posts photos of his work as proof of its authenticity.

The HM Courts and Tribunal Services said the mural would be removed because of the historical significance of the Royal Courts of Justice - which contains the outer wall where the mural was applied. The 143-year-old complex “is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character,” the service said in a statement.

Security officers blocked the artwork with metal barriers this week.

But by lunchtime, a large crowd had gathered on the normally quiet street to the rear of the court complex, and a line had formed as officers allowed people behind the cordon to take pictures one by one.