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Queen's portrait defaced with spray paint in Westminster Abbey | Queen's portrait defaced with spray paint in Westminster Abbey |
(35 minutes later) | |
A portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey has been defaced with spray paint, an abbey spokesman has said. | A portrait of the Queen in Westminster Abbey has been defaced with spray paint, an abbey spokesman has said. |
A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after being detained by security guards at the abbey, Scotland Yard said. | A 41-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage after being detained by security guards at the abbey, Scotland Yard said. |
Campaign group Fathers4Justice said it thought a member was responsible but the protest was not official. | Campaign group Fathers4Justice said it thought a member was responsible but the protest was not official. |
The oil on canvas by Ralph Heimans went on display in Chapter House in May and depicts the Queen in state dress. | The oil on canvas by Ralph Heimans went on display in Chapter House in May and depicts the Queen in state dress. |
It was completed last year for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. | It was completed last year for the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations. |
The incident comes nine days after the monarch and other members of the royal family attended a service at the abbey marking the 60th anniversary of her Coronation. | The incident comes nine days after the monarch and other members of the royal family attended a service at the abbey marking the 60th anniversary of her Coronation. |
A spokesman for the abbey said: "In an incident at lunchtime today, a visitor to the abbey sprayed paint on the Ralph Heimans portrait of the Queen presently on display in the Chapter House. | A spokesman for the abbey said: "In an incident at lunchtime today, a visitor to the abbey sprayed paint on the Ralph Heimans portrait of the Queen presently on display in the Chapter House. |
"Until work can be done to remedy the damage it will, very regrettably, not be possible to have the painting on public view." | "Until work can be done to remedy the damage it will, very regrettably, not be possible to have the painting on public view." |
Buckingham Palace said it would not making any comment on the incident. | Buckingham Palace said it would not making any comment on the incident. |
The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the abbey at about 12:30 BST and the arrested man is in custody at central London police station. | The Metropolitan Police said officers were called to the abbey at about 12:30 BST and the arrested man is in custody at central London police station. |
In a statement, Fathers For Justice said: "This was not an official Fathers for Justice protest but it was carried out by one of our members. | In a statement, Fathers For Justice said: "This was not an official Fathers for Justice protest but it was carried out by one of our members. |
"It's Father's Day on Sunday - it's a very emotional time and this protest was a desperate plea for help." | "It's Father's Day on Sunday - it's a very emotional time and this protest was a desperate plea for help." |
The group has run a high-profile campaign for more than a decade for improved rights for men who say they have been denied access to their children. | The group has run a high-profile campaign for more than a decade for improved rights for men who say they have been denied access to their children. |
In 2004 and 2005 members were involved in several high-profile protests, including hurling packages of flour at the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Commons and climbing buildings including Buckingham Palace and the Foreign Office dressed as superheroes. | In 2004 and 2005 members were involved in several high-profile protests, including hurling packages of flour at the then Prime Minister Tony Blair in the Commons and climbing buildings including Buckingham Palace and the Foreign Office dressed as superheroes. |
'Imagined scene' | 'Imagined scene' |
The picture was painted by London-based Australian-born artist Heimans after a sitting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in March last year. | The picture was painted by London-based Australian-born artist Heimans after a sitting with the Queen at Buckingham Palace in March last year. |
The work entitled The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II measures 9ft by 11ft and depicts the Queen in the Sacrarium - the area near the altar - of Westminster Abbey. | The work entitled The Coronation Theatre, Westminster Abbey: A Portrait of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II measures 9ft by 11ft and depicts the Queen in the Sacrarium - the area near the altar - of Westminster Abbey. |
It was officially unveiled in London in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee and had been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra until March. | It was officially unveiled in London in 2012 for the Diamond Jubilee and had been exhibited at the National Portrait Gallery, Canberra until March. |
Westminster Abbey's website says the painting is an "imagined scene set at night... showing The Queen in a moment of solitary reflection and is an exceptional interpretation of the intricate mosaic patterns of the 13th century Cosmati pavement." | Westminster Abbey's website says the painting is an "imagined scene set at night... showing The Queen in a moment of solitary reflection and is an exceptional interpretation of the intricate mosaic patterns of the 13th century Cosmati pavement." |
It shows the Queen wearing state dress, including the crimson velvet Robe of State, which she wore to her Coronation on 2 June 1953. | It shows the Queen wearing state dress, including the crimson velvet Robe of State, which she wore to her Coronation on 2 June 1953. |
The work, purchased for the abbey by Lord and Lady Harris of Peckham, was supposed to remain on public display until September. | The work, purchased for the abbey by Lord and Lady Harris of Peckham, was supposed to remain on public display until September. |
Lord Harris told the BBC News Channel he understands turquoise paint had been sprayed "over quite a lot" of the portrait. | Lord Harris told the BBC News Channel he understands turquoise paint had been sprayed "over quite a lot" of the portrait. |
"The most important thing is to get it restored. It will take time but it will be able to be put right again," he said. | |
He said this was damaging something created in honour of the Queen, who had been on the throne for 60 years and who had done so much for the country. | He said this was damaging something created in honour of the Queen, who had been on the throne for 60 years and who had done so much for the country. |
"To take it out on her is ridiculous," he said. | "To take it out on her is ridiculous," he said. |
Speaking last month, Heimans said: "I could not have imagined a more fitting home for my portrait of the Queen than Westminster Abbey, the beauty of which was a great source of inspiration in the conception of the work. | Speaking last month, Heimans said: "I could not have imagined a more fitting home for my portrait of the Queen than Westminster Abbey, the beauty of which was a great source of inspiration in the conception of the work. |
"I am deeply honoured by this acquisition and feel that the significance of the portrait's narrative will have its strongest resonance in this remarkable setting." | "I am deeply honoured by this acquisition and feel that the significance of the portrait's narrative will have its strongest resonance in this remarkable setting." |
A spokeswoman for the artist has told the BBC she is still trying to bring Ralph Heimans "up to date" with what has happened to his portrait. | A spokeswoman for the artist has told the BBC she is still trying to bring Ralph Heimans "up to date" with what has happened to his portrait. |
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. | Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 61124 (UK) or +44 7624 800 100 (International). If you have a large file you can upload here. |
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