Man arrested after assault on statue at BBC HQ with hammer and chisel
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suspect has been arrested after a person carrying a Spider-Man masks appeared to assault a statue on the entrance of the BBC’s Broadcasting House in central London with a hammer and chisel.
Scotland Yard stated that officers have been known as to Portland Place on Saturday at round 4.15am, to a report that somebody had scaled scaffolding and was damaging the sculpture, and an arrest was made simply after 6pm.
The incident comes days after restore work was began to the previously-attacked statue by Eric Gill, who is claimed to have sexually abused two of his daughters.
The Grade-II listed statue depicts Prospero and Ariel from Shakespeare’s The Tempest.
A Metropolitan Police spokesman stated: “The man was reportedly damaging a sculpture.
“Officers attended the location. Due to the circumstances of the incident, including the height, specialist officers were called to the scene.
“Shortly after 6pm the man was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and going equipped.
“He will be taken into police custody.”
Onlookers had seen a person carrying a Spider-Man masks on scaffolding surrounding sculpture.
He had additionally strung up a banner criticising the company.
He was described as a “masked protester” in a BBC Radio London news bulletin on Saturday.
The statue has been on show at Broadcasting House since 1932, however was attacked final yr amid requires it to be eliminated.
The statue has beforehand been focused with a hammer.
Earlier this month, the BBC stated the restore work had been agreed after “careful consideration” which took into consideration the historic and cultural significance of the constructing.
There had additionally been discussions with main cultural organisations reminiscent of Historic England.
It stated that each one prices can be coated by way of the company’s insurance coverage and never the licence charge.
Scaffolding went up across the constructing and skilled stonemasons started repairing the piece which is carved from Caen stone, a kind of limestone quarried in north-west France.
The broadcaster stated the restore work can be used to offer extra context in regards to the art work and Gill, and that members of the general public would additionally be capable of entry a QR code close by.
Robert Seatter, head of BBC History, stated: “Broadcasting House is a building of historical and cultural significance and one of the foundations of modern-day broadcasting, both in this country and around the world.
“We have a responsibility to maintain and preserve the building for generations to come.
“Alongside this, Gill’s abusive behaviour and lifestyle are well documented and the BBC in no way condones his behaviour.
“So while it is right that the fabric of the building is restored, we must also ensure people are fully informed about the history connected to it.”
Gill was among the many most distinguished sculptors of the twentieth century till his loss of life in 1940, however his diaries – printed a lot later – detailed the sexual abuse of his daughters.
A biography on the Tate museum web site stated: “His religious views and subject matter contrast with his sexual behaviour, including his erotic art, and (as mentioned in his own diaries) his extramarital affairs and sexual abuse of his daughters, sisters and dog.”
More than 3,000 individuals have signed a petition demanding the removing of the sculpture on the web site of political activist group 38 Degrees.
The repairs had been set to be accomplished by the top of June.