Man charged in London after vandalizing Winston Churchill statue

Saturday 28 February 2026 - 14:00

A man has been charged in London following the defacement of a statue of former British Prime Minister Winston Churchill with graffiti including the words “Zionist war criminal.” The incident occurred overnight at Parliament Square, prompting police action and court proceedings.

Caspar San Giorgio, 38, and reportedly homeless, appeared in Highbury Court on Saturday morning following his overnight charge for criminal damage. The statue had also been sprayed with slogans such as “Free Palestine” and “Stop the genocide” in red paint.

The Dutch group Free the Filton 24 NL claimed responsibility for the act on social media, posting a video showing a person, identified as “Olax Outis” – believed to be San Giorgio – wearing a jumpsuit with the words “I support Palestine Action.” The group was banned by the UK government in July 2025, designated as a terrorist organization after prior intrusions and vandalism on a Royal Air Force base. A British court recently ruled the ban “disproportionate” on February 13, 2026.

Authorities quickly removed the offensive inscriptions from the statue’s pedestal. Downing Street condemned the vandalism as “odious,” affirming that “Churchill was a great Briton” and that the government will ensure the perpetrator is held accountable.