Get your news delivered straight to you by 7am - sign up to our new Morning Mail newsletter for FREE See more Daily Mail on Google - save us as a Preferred SourceBy NOOR QURASHI, NEWS REPORTER Published: 13:05 BST, 10 August 2026 | Updated: 13:11 BST, 10 August 2026
Taxpayers have footed a £150,000 bill to cover the clean-up and security costs of three Banksy artworks.The Ministry of Justice said it had spent £50,000 trying to remove paint from the wall of the Royal Courts of Justice in September last year and £35,000 on overtime and security costs.The mural on the Grade II-listed building had depicted a judge in a wig beating a protester with his gavel.In April this year a statue of a man carrying a flag covering his face appeared near Trafalgar Square, with Banksy claiming credit for the work.Westminster City Council has since confirmed it spent £60,000 on safety barriers, administration and paying for a security guard to keep watch, the BBC reports.In August 2024, Banksy painted piranha fish on a City of London Police sentry box, which had been installed in the 1990s.The box was removed at a cost of £2,200 and was never replaced.It was then put in storage and is set to go on display at the London Museum when it reopens in November. A mural on the Grade II-listed building had depicted a judge in a wig beating a protester with his gavel. The Ministry of Justice spent £85,0000 on the clean-up and security Security guards are pictured by the artwork by Banksy which showed a judge attacking a protester with a gavel, at the Royal Courts of Justice in London In April this year a statue of a man carrying a flag covering his face appeared near Trafalgar Square, with Banksy claiming credit for the workBanksy, whose real name has never been officially confirmed, has become famous across the world for politically charged murals, including 2002's Girl With Balloon, 2003's Love Is In The Air, and 2004's Kissing Coppers.The artist confirmed he was responsible for the work at the Royal Courts of Justice with a post on Instagram, showing the graffiti before it was covered over.Banksy, whose identity is the source of constant speculation, captioned the pictures: 'Royal Courts Of Justice. London.'His mural was interpreted by some as a comment on the arrest of hundreds of people for supporting Palestine Action by holding up placards at protests.In July last year, Palestine Action was banned by the Government as a terrorist group after activists damaged RAF planes.Shadow Justice Secretary Nick Timothy said it was 'outrageous' taxpayer money was being spent on cleaning up after the artist.He added: 'Our courts are a national symbol of justice and the rule of law.'Banksy’s vandalism should be stopped and he should foot the bill for the costs he imposes on others.'Some art critics such as Estelle Lovatt have defended the work, saying it offers benefits for tourism and 'makes art accessible'.
