A 38-year-old man has been formally charged with criminal damage following an incident where graffiti was sprayed on the iconic statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed that Caspar San Giorgio, who currently has no fixed address, was arrested in the early hours of Friday morning shortly after 4am.
Arrest and Charges
San Giorgio was taken into police custody immediately after his arrest and remained there until he was formally charged just before 4am on Saturday. According to police statements, he is scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court on Saturday morning to face the criminal damage charge.
Nature of the Graffiti
The graffiti sprayed on the bronze sculpture included multiple political phrases written in red paint. One prominent message branded the former prime minister a 'Zionist war criminal', while other phrases read 'Stop the Genocide' and 'Free Palestine'. Additional graffiti included the statements 'Never again is Now' and 'Globalise the Intifada', indicating a clear political motivation behind the vandalism.
Further Investigation
Police revealed on Friday afternoon that San Giorgio had also been arrested on suspicion of supporting Palestine Action, a proscribed organisation. This additional arrest suggests authorities are investigating potential links to banned groups, though formal charges related to this aspect have not yet been announced.
Location Significance
The Churchill statue holds particular significance due to its prominent location just metres from the Houses of Parliament in the heart of Westminster. The vandalism occurred in the early hours of Friday morning, with the graffiti visible to commuters and tourists throughout the day before being cleaned by authorities.
This incident represents the latest in a series of attacks on historical monuments in London that have sparked debates about historical figures and contemporary political issues. The Metropolitan Police have increased patrols in the area following the incident and are continuing their investigation into whether others were involved in the vandalism.
