A new Banksy mural that appeared on the walls of the Royal Courts of Justice in London has been reported to police as criminal damage and will be removed, officials have confirmed. The artwork, which surfaced on Monday, depicts a judge in full wig and gown appearing to strike a protester with a gavel while the figure clutches a blood-stained placard. The provocative image has already been concealed with black plastic sheeting and metal barriers, and security staff are guarding the site.
The Metropolitan Police said officers received the criminal damage report on 8 September and that inquiries are ongoing. Banksy, whose identity remains unknown, later claimed responsibility by posting photographs of the mural on Instagram, captioned simply “Royal Courts of Justice. London.” HM Courts and Tribunals Service (HMCTS) said it was obliged to remove the piece, explaining that the courts are a listed building and must retain their original character.
The appearance of the mural comes in the wake of heightened tensions in London after nearly 900 demonstrators were arrested during protests against the government’s decision to proscribe activist group Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation. The ban, introduced earlier this year by then-home secretary Yvette Cooper, makes supporting or displaying symbols of the group a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison.
Campaigners have already linked Banksy’s latest work to the crackdown, interpreting the image as a statement against what they describe as state repression of civil liberties. Defend Our Juries, a group behind the weekend protests, said the mural “powerfully depicts the brutality unleashed by Yvette Cooper” and vowed that attempts to silence dissent would only strengthen the movement. The government, meanwhile, has defended its decision, with Defence Secretary John Healey insisting that Palestine Action’s activities had caused significant damage and posed further risks.
Banksy’s politically charged art has long sparked debate, often addressing themes of authority, justice, and resistance. His latest mural, however, may not remain visible for long, with HMCTS confirming it will be removed in line with heritage rules. Even so, its brief presence has already reignited controversy around the balance between protest, art, and the law in Britain’s capital.
