Published：Feb 27, 11:14Last updated：Feb 28, 13:48

Churchill Statue Vandalized with Pro-Palestinian Graffiti in London

Feb. 27, 2026 11:14

A 38-year-old man was arrested by the Metropolitan police on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after graffiti calling Winston Churchill a “Zionist war criminal” was sprayed on his statue outside the UK Parliament. The arrest occurred on Friday morning, following the defacement of the statue with inflammatory slogans.

Summarized

10News

7Media

Feb. 28, 2026 10:21

On the morning of February 28, 2026, the bronze statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, Westminster, was vandalized with red paint. The inscriptions included accusations of war crimes, calls to stop genocide, and support for Palestine, as reported by Sky News.

Feb. 28, 2026 13:48

Caspar San Giorgio, a 38-year-old man with no fixed address, was arrested by the Metropolitan police after spray-painting slogans including 'Zionist war criminal' on Winston Churchill’s statue outside the Houses of Parliament in London. The incident occurred shortly after 4am on Friday, and he was charged early Saturday morning. He is scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner magistrates court. The act was classified as criminal damage.

A high-profile act of vandalism targeting the bronze statue of Winston Churchill in London’s Parliament Square has sparked controversy and debate across the UK. In the early hours of Friday, a 38-year-old man, later identified as Caspar San Giorgio, was apprehended by the Metropolitan Police after spray-painting slogans such as “Zionist war criminal,” “Free Palestine,” and “Stop the Genocide” on the monument. The incident, which occurred opposite the Houses of Parliament, drew swift condemnation and prompted a rapid police response. San Giorgio was charged with criminal damage and remanded into custody, with a court appearance scheduled at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court. The event has reignited discussions around protest, public memory, and the boundaries of political expression in the UK.The Guardian+2

🚨 Incident Timeline and Police Response

February 27, 2026, shortly after 4am: Graffiti was sprayed on the Churchill statue in Parliament Square.
Metropolitan Police responded promptly, arresting San Giorgio at the scene with red paint in hand.
The suspect was detained on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage and held for questioning.
Russian Gazette+1

🏛️ Legal Proceedings and Charges

Caspar San Giorgio, 38, of no fixed address, was formally charged with criminal damage on February 28, 2026.
He was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear at Highbury Corner Magistrates' Court.
The charges stem from the defacement of a national monument and the inflammatory nature of the slogans.
BBC News+1

🌍 Public Reaction and Societal Impact

The incident has provoked widespread public debate, with some condemning the act as disrespectful vandalism and others viewing it as a form of political protest.
The slogans referenced ongoing tensions regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, highlighting the intersection of international issues and domestic activism.
Authorities have reaffirmed their commitment to protecting public monuments and addressing hate crimes.
Russian Gazette+2

Parliament SquareCaspar San GiorgioMetropolitan PoliceHighbury Corner Magistrates' Court