Mysterious artist Banksy brought some excitement to central London yesterday when he revealed a new sculpture in Pall Mall – and now Westminster Council has given its verdict on whether the statue can stay.

Banksy, who has never publicly confirmed his identity, claimed a sculpture of a suited man marching off a plinth as his billowing flag covers his face on Thursday (30 April) after it was spotted on Waterloo Place the day before.

The artist’s signature was scrawled at the bottom of the work and Banksy later took to his Instagram page to confirm that it belonged to him, sharing a video of the statue being installed. “There was a bit of a gap,” he said.

While there’s always a risk that Banksy’s street art could be removed by local authorities, Westminster Council has said that its focus is on allowing the statue to be enjoyed while options are considered.

“We welcome Banksy’s latest sculpture in Westminster, which makes a striking addition to the city’s vibrant public art scene,” a spokesperson for Westminster City Council told The Independent.

“While we have taken initial steps to protect the statue, at this time it will remain accessible for the public to view and enjoy.”

Since bursting onto the British art scene in the 1990s, Banksy – who is thought to have been born Robin Gunningham – has become well known for his politically charged murals, including 2002’s Girl With Balloon, 2003’s Love Is In The Air, and 2004’s Kissing Coppers.

The pseudonymous figure’s work has been sold for millions over the years, while much of his street work is still in place. However, some pieces were removed or stolen.

In September, a new Banksy mural depicting a judge beating a protester appeared on the wall of London’s Royal Courts of Justice – but it was quickly scrubbed from the building.

Court administrators ordered it to be removed, stating that the 143-year-old building is “valued for its historical significance and must maintain its original character”.

Transport for London also weren’t impressed by Banksy’s work after he revealed a coronavirus-themed piece on a London Underground carriage in 2020. The stencil work, which depicted rats with face masks, was removed due to TfL’s “strict anti-graffiti policy”, with the government body saying it would welcome Banksy to recreate the message “in a suitable location”.

In 2024, thieves stole a Banksy work in south London, less than an hour after it had been unveiled by the street artist. Video footage showed three men scale a building in Peckham to take the piece – a howling wolf painted onto a satellite dish.