Photos shared on social media showed the iconic statue daubed with graffiti during demonstrations by climate activists. The damage to the monument came weeks after the word “racist” was written on the same statue during a Black Lives Matter rally earlier in the summer.
In a statement, the Metropolitan Police said: “We have arrested a man in Parliament Square on suspicion of causing criminal damage to the Winston Churchill statue.”
On Thursday, police also arrested a group of topless protesters who chained themselves to the railing surrounding Parliament.
The environmental campaigners said they were calling for the “bare truth” about the climate crisis to be exposed.
Activist Sarah Mintram said: “Now we’ve got your attention.
“By neglecting to communicate the consequences of a 4C world – war, famine, drought, displacement – the Government are failing to protect us.”
Officers have arrested 648 people while policing protests held by Extinction Rebellion since the start of September.
The Met has also put conditions on the protesters in a mid to minimise disruption caused to members of the public.
The notice under Section 14 of the Public Order Act stated that the protest had to be wrapped up by 7pm and the gathering would have to be confined to Parliament Square.
Thursday’s action in Westminster came days after XR made headlines for blocking the distribution of several national newspapers.
Members blockaded the Newsprinters printing presses and delayed the delivery of hundreds of papers.
More to follow….
