New Banksy mural takes shot at UK crackdown on protest

A new mural from elusive street artist Banksy has appeared on the Royal Courts of Justice in Central London.

Banksy shared two images of the mural on Instagram earlier today (September 8), which depict a judge hitting a protester with a gavel, along with the caption: "Royal Courts of Justice".

Read this next: Bristol man claims to have paid Banksy £50 for a mural, then painted over it

The mural appeared just two days after 857 protesters were arrested under a terrorism act for their opposition to the recent proscription of Palestine Action as a terrorist organisation.

The mural has already been covered up with tarpaulin and is being guarded by security — a spokesperson from the HM Courts and Tribunals told BBC News that the work will be removed, citing an obligation to "maintain the Royal Courts of Justice's original character".

Read this next: Mysterious new artwork suspected to be a Banksy appears in London

The Metropolitan Police has said that it is investigating the mural for suspected "criminal damage", and is making enquiries into how it appeared at the typically high security public building.

See Banksy's post on Instagram, below.

Megan Townsend is Mixmag's Deputy Editor, follow her on Twitter