This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22892297
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 5 | Version 6 |
|---|---|
| Queen's portrait defaced with spray paint in Westminster Abbey | Queen's portrait defaced with spray paint in Westminster Abbey |
| (about 1 hour 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 Fathers 4 Justice 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 4 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. |
| 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. |
| 'Imagined scene' | 'Imagined scene' |
| 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. | "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 art experts and Ralph Heimans have now inspected the painting and believe it could be mended in about 10-12 weeks. | |
| Lord Harris said the painting was created in honour of the Queen, who had been on the throne for 60 years and 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. |
| Read the terms and conditions | Read the terms and conditions |