An artwork by Banksy has been removed from the side of the Royal Courts of Justice, sparking a furious backlash from fans of the elusive artist.
It is understood to be a reference to activists who have been arrested and charged for supporting the terrorist organisation Palestine Action.
Less than 24 hours after it was spotted on the Grade I-listed building, His Majesty's Courts and Tribunals Service confirmed it would be erased.
A spokesman for the executive agency told The Standard that it was "obliged to maintain its original character".
Banksy artwork that depicted a judge attacking a protester and silencing free speech that was covered up has now been removed...
— Grifty (@TheGriftReport) September 9, 2025
Proving Banksy was right. You may or may not agree with his msg, but it was a double-edged sword. pic.twitter.com/POVDKBVHt9
The illustration was immediately covered up by security guards, large sheets of black plastic and two metal barriers shortly after appearing on Monday morning.
And on Wednesday, a photograph appeared on social media showing a worker with a hi-visibility jacked painting over the piece.
John Colbert, who shared the image on X, formerly known as Twitter, said: “This is nothing more than Cultural Vandalism.
“Banksy being removed from the #RoyalCourtofJustice shameful, it should have been preserved not erased.”
Elon Musk, the world’s richest man and owner of X, also criticised authorities for censoring Banksy’s ”accurate” illustration, saying: “The more they try to cover it up, the more it will appear.”
The Metropolitan Police have since launched an investigation into the graffiti, which is on an external wall of the Queen's Building on Carey Street.
It means that Banksy, who has remained anonymous for more than 25 years, would be required to publicly disclose his name if brought to trial.
Criminal damage carries a maximum sentence of 10 years’ imprisonment under the Criminal Damage Act 1971.
Defend Our Juries, which has organised marches against the banning of Palestine Action, said: “As Banksy’s artwork shows, the state can try to strip away our civil liberties, but we are too many in number and our resolve to stand against injustice cannot be beaten.”
Last summer, Banksy, who is widely believed to be from Bristol, launched an animal-themed campaign in London of nine works, which concluded with a gorilla appearing at the entrance to London Zoo.
