Banksy mural at Royal Courts of Justice in London to be removed

A mural believed to be by the anonymous street artist Banksy appeared on the exterior of the Royal Courts of Justice in London on Monday and was swiftly covered by black plastic sheeting and metal barriers as security officers guarded the site. The stencilled image, posted to an Instagram account long associated with the artist and captioned "Royal Courts of Justice. London," appears to show a wigged and gowned judge striking a protester with a gavel as the protester lies on the ground clutching a bloodstained placard.

Photos circulated on social media and were later published by news agencies. While some reports initially said the work had not been claimed, Banksy posted images of the mural on Instagram, a method the artist has used previously to signal authorship. The painting sits on the Queens Building, part of the Victorian Gothic Royal Courts complex on the Strand, which is a Grade I listed building subject to legal protections for its historic character.

HM Courts and Tribunals Service said the mural would be removed with due regard for the building's historical significance. Officials covering the artwork said the protection measures were in place as the authorities...