A NEW work by the street artist Banksy at the Royal Courts of Justice in London has been rapidly covered up by authorities.
The artwork, which is on an external wall of the Queen’s Building, part of the Royal Courts of Justice complex, has been concealed by large sheets of black plastic and two metal barriers.
Photos of the new artwork show a judge attacking a protester with a gavel.
Banksy, whose identity is the source of constant speculation, confirmed he is responsible for the work with a post on Instagram.
On Monday afternoon, it was confirmed that the artwork is set to be removed, in accordance with rules about listed buildings.
An HM Courts and Tribunals spokesperson said: "The Royal Courts of Justice is a listed building and HMCTS are obliged to maintain its original character."
The artwork appeared just days after police in London arrested almost 900 people in a demonstration against the proscription of Palestine Action.
The UK Government has sparked human rights concerns with its treatment of the demonstrators, many of whom face terrorism charges for allegedly supporting a proscribed group.
The UN's human rights chief Volker Turk has said that the Labour Government's proscription of Palestine Action puts it "at odds" with international law.
Last summer, Banksy made headlines with his animal-themed collection in the capital, which concluded with a gorilla appearing to lift up a shutter on the entrance to London Zoo.
Other notable works included piranhas swimming on a police sentry box in the City of London, turning the box into what looked like a giant fish tank, and a howling wolf on a satellite dish, which was taken off the roof of a shop in Peckham, south London, less than an hour after it was unveiled.
The animals collection was made up of nine works including a rhino seemingly mounting a silver Nissan Micra, two elephant silhouettes with their trunks stretched out towards each other and three monkeys that looked as though they were swinging on a bridge.
