\n
![](\"https:\/\/e3.365dm.com\/26\/02\/1920x1080\/skynews-winston-churchill-statue_7176494.jpg?20260227082347\")
<\/p>\n
\n<\/p>\n
The statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in Westminster has been defaced overnight with “Zionist war criminal” and other graffiti.<\/p>\n
Other phrases including “Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine” were sprayed in red paint on the bronze sculpture.<\/p>\n
Further graffiti read “Never again is Now” and “Globalise the Intifada”.<\/p>\n
The statue has been cordoned off and was being cleaned this morning.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the image, which was shared on X, Dave Rich, director of policy for Community Security Trust, posted: “Free Palestine” and a Hamas red triangle, if you zoom in close enough. This extremism is never just a threat to Jews.”<\/p>\n
One social media user wrote: “What a disgrace to the memory of the greatest Briton!”<\/p>\n
Another posted: “Educating the masses – he was indeed a Zionist War Criminal”.<\/p>\n
The statue was installed on the north-east corner of the square in 1973.<\/p>\n
Last December both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police announced anyone chanting “globalise the intifada” would face arrest.<\/p>\n
The decision by the two police forces came in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, and the terror attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on 2 October.<\/p>\n
The Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council have been contacted for comment.<\/p>\n
This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.<\/em><\/p>\n Please refresh the page for the fullest version.<\/em><\/p>\n You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app<\/strong><\/a>. <\/em>You can also <\/em>follow us on WhatsApp<\/strong><\/em><\/a> and subscribe to our <\/em>YouTube channel<\/strong><\/em><\/a> to keep up with the latest news.<\/em><\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n