Statue of Thatcher decapitated in art gallery
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A statue of Baroness Thatcher was vandalised yesterday in a City of London art gallery, less than five months after it was first put on public display.
The 8ft marble figure in Guildhall Art Gallery was decapitated by a man using a metal bar, a Corporation of London statement said. A man aged 37 was arrested and was charged last night with one count of criminal damage. He will appear at the City of London magistrates' court today.
The Lord Mayor, Michael Oliver, described the attack, carried out with a metal rope stanchion, as an "act of wanton vandalism". The statue has now been withdrawn from view but the damage is so severe that it will take days to assess whether it is repairable.
The white marble statue, sculpted by Neil Simmons, was unveiled in May last year. Lady Thatcher said it portrayed her "for posterity in a way which pleases me very much indeed". She also noted that it included "a good big handbag". The statue was expected to be moved to Westminster after the next general election.
Mr Oliver said: "Whatever one's views on Baroness Thatcher's politics, she is a unique and important part of the recent history of our country.
The Labour MP Tony Banks, chairman of the Advisory Committee on Works of Art in the Commons, said: "Although the statue of Baroness Thatcher ranks among our most controversial commissions, acts of vandalism against works of art can never be tolerated in a civilised society."
A spokesman for Lady Thatcher said there would be no statement from her.
The work was commissioned in 1998, with £50,000 provided by an anonymous benefactor. Mr Simmons said: "It is tragic that something I devoted so much time and energy to should have been damaged by a few seconds of mindless violence. I am deeply saddened."
* Feminists have defaced photographs of male BBC presenters at the corporation's television centre in White City, west London, complaining of the absence of female faces. Pictures of Alan Titchmarsh, Andrew Marr and Jeremy Paxman were given spectacles and "What about the grils [sic]?" was written on the walls.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments