Climbing on Winston Churchill Statue to Become Criminal Offence Under New UK Law

New Law to Protect National Monuments

The UK government is set to introduce new legislation making it a criminal offence to climb on the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square. This move forms part of a broader effort to safeguard war memorials and national monuments from vandalism and disrespectful acts. The proposed law could see offenders face up to three months in prison or a £1,000 fine.

Expanding Legal Protection to Churchill’s Statue

Although not previously classified as a war memorial, the statue of Churchill—Britain’s wartime Prime Minister—will now be formally protected. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper is expanding the legal list of monuments under the Crime and Policing Bill to include Churchill’s statue alongside others like the Cenotaph in Whitehall and the Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park.

Government Response and Justification

Speaking ahead of the announcement, Cooper stated: “As the country comes together to celebrate VE Day, it is only right that we ensure Winston Churchill’s statue is treated with the respect it deserves.” She described past acts of damage to war memorials as “disgraceful” and noted that the legislation intends to reinforce their sanctity and significance in British heritage.

Prime Minister Starmer’s Support

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer expressed strong support, saying: “Sir Winston Churchill stands at the summit of our country’s greatest heroes… It is the least we owe him and the rest of the greatest generation to make those acts criminal.”

Historical and Legal Context

The Churchill statue, unveiled in 1973 by Clementine Churchill and attended by Queen Elizabeth II, has become a prominent symbol in political demonstrations. Notably, it has been repeatedly targeted during protests, including by Extinction Rebellion and Black Lives Matter demonstrators. While previous charges were brought under public order or criminal damage laws, these did not directly criminalise climbing the monument itself.

From a Criminal Defence Perspective

From a criminal law defence standpoint, this legislative change reduces scope for arguing a lack of specific intent to cause damage or disrupt public order. By criminalising the act of climbing itself, the law introduces a strict liability component—simplifying prosecution but limiting defences based on motive, protest rights, or lack of actual damage.

Implications Moving Forward

This statutory development reflects a trend towards reinforcing public order through symbolic legal protections. While civil liberties groups may challenge the scope of such laws, courts will likely weigh them against public interest in protecting national heritage. Individuals engaging in protest will need to be more aware of physical boundaries around protected structures, even when no damage is caused.

As this legal shift takes effect, it signals a changing balance between free expression and the preservation of historical monuments in the public sphere.

How We Can Help

At Morton’s Solicitors, if you or someone you know is facing accusations of public order offences or any such similar offences, professional legal advice is essential. Call us directly on 0161 230 4816 or email us via our contact page for fast, confidential advice.