Man Arrested After Churchill Statue Defaced with 'Zionist War Criminal' Graffiti
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, Westminster, was defaced overnight. The incident occurred in the early hours of Friday, 27 February 2026, with officers from the Metropolitan Police alerted shortly after 4am.
Details of the Vandalism
The bronze sculpture, created by Ivor Roberts-Jones and unveiled in 1973 by Lady Clementine Churchill, was sprayed with red paint bearing phrases such as 'Zionist war criminal', 'Stop the Genocide', and 'Free Palestine'. Additional graffiti included 'Never again is Now' and 'Globalise the Intifada'. The 12ft-tall statue, located on the north-east corner of the square, has been cordoned off and was undergoing cleaning this morning.
Police Response and Context
This arrest follows recent announcements by the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police that chanting 'globalise the intifada' would lead to arrests, a decision made in response to terror attacks, including the Bondi Beach incident and the Heaton Park synagogue attack in Manchester on 2 October. Dave Rich, director of policy for the Community Security Trust, commented on social media, noting that the graffiti featured a Hamas red triangle and warning that such extremism poses a threat to Jewish communities.
Historical Significance and Previous Incidents
The Churchill statue is one of 12 statues in or around Parliament Square, which honor notable statesmen like Nelson Mandela and Abraham Lincoln. It has been vandalized multiple times over the years, often during demonstrations. The ongoing defacement highlights tensions in public spaces and the challenges of preserving historical monuments amidst political activism.
Authorities continue to investigate the motive behind this latest act of vandalism, emphasizing the importance of maintaining public order and protecting cultural heritage in London.
