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PA Media
The image took on a ghostly tone as the paint was scrubbed away
A mural by the street artist Banksy is being removed from the wall of a court building in London.
The mural appeared on an external wall of the Queen's Building, in the Royal Courts of Justice complex, on Monday.
The image depicted a protester lying on the ground holding a blood-spattered placard while a judge, in a wig and gown, looms over him, wielding a gavel.
The work has been covered up at various points since it was discovered and guarded by security staff, with the HM Courts & Tribunals Service confirming that it would be removed due to the building being listed and therefore legally protected.
The removal of the mural from the court building was captured by passers-by
Banksy confirmed he was responsible for the work with a post on Instagram, showing the graffiti before it was covered over.
It has been interpreted by some as a comment on the arrest of hundreds of people for supporting Palestine Action by holding up placards at protests.
Palestine Action was banned by the government as a terrorist group in July after activists damaged RAF planes.
PA Media
The artwork before it was removed showed a protestor holding a blank blood-spattered sign
The artwork comes weeks after the Lady Chief Justice, the most senior judge in England and Wales, repeated concerns for the safety of judges, who she said had been subjected to "increasing and increasingly unacceptable sensationalist and inaccurate abuse".
The mural was reported as criminal damage, with the Metropolitan Police stating that inquiries were ongoing.
The courts service confirmed that it is legally obliged to maintain the character of the building because of its listed status.
PA Media
The work was concealed by a metal barrier before being removed
PA Media
The wall of the listed building is being returned to its original blank state
