The Ministry of Defence is facing a significant cleanup bill following an incident of vandalism by protesters last month.

Conservative MP Michael Ellis of Northampton North raised a question in Parliament regarding the financial impact of the graffiti on the historic Ministry of Defence Main Building.

On April 10, 2024, protesters sprayed paint on the walls and windows of the Grade I listed building, necessitating extensive restoration efforts. Responding to Ellis’s inquiry, James Cartlidge, the Minister of State for the Ministry of Defence, provided an estimated cost of £60,000 (excluding VAT) for the cleanup operations.

“The current estimated cost of carrying out the work needed to restore the Grade I listed Ministry of Defence Main Building as a result of the paint sprayed on the walls and windows is £60,000 ex-VAT,” Cartlidge stated.

This figure reflects the expenses associated with the specialised work required to remove the paint and restore the building to its original condition, adhering to the strict preservation standards for Grade I listed structures.

The Ministry of Defence has yet to comment on whether any additional security measures will be implemented to prevent future incidents of this nature.

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George has a degree in Cyber Security from Glasgow Caledonian University and has a keen interest in naval and cyber security matters and has appeared on national radio and television to discuss current events. George is on Twitter at @geoallison
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Mark F
Mark F (@guest_819087)
4 months ago

No doubt, those, if any, arrested for this wonton act of vandalism will be found not guilty, or at worse get a slapped wrist.
Time that the courts fined these people to help cover the costs of their actions.

Ian
Ian (@guest_819090)
4 months ago
Reply to  Mark F

Absolutely. And the cost of the court case itself. I doubt that these people would be so keen on vandalising other people’s property if the consequence was a prison sentence and years of debt repayments.

Graham Moore
Graham Moore (@guest_819338)
4 months ago
Reply to  Mark F

Damages for the full amount should be levied on the culprits on top of any punitive fine.

Gunbuster
Gunbuster (@guest_819089)
4 months ago

So civil case against the miscreants to get the clean-up costs back.
60k+ will sting them as well as a criminal damage charge and subsequent criminal record.
FAFO.

AlexS
AlexS (@guest_819096)
4 months ago

Why the MOD do not sue the protesters and their logistic and money supporters?
It is vandalism at minimum.

Last edited 4 months ago by AlexS
Cognitio68
Cognitio68 (@guest_819097)
4 months ago

Firstly how did security allow protestors to get so close to the main building? Secondly were any of the perpetrators identified/arrested? Thirdly have there been any attempt to recover the cost of repairs from the people who caused the damage? If you can’t prevent then you have to deter. There needs to be painful consequences for the people who do this.
Also if the Met Police can’t perform core functions and guarantee the security of the building I suggest they get out of the way and let the military defend it themselves.

Daniele Mandelli
Daniele Mandelli (@guest_819179)
4 months ago
Reply to  Cognitio68

I’d think it would be the Whitehall MDP Dets responsibility, not the military.
Otherwise, I’m in total agreement, though I’m unsure if they were protesting first? Possibly just ran in and did the deed, which is impossible to stop without more physical security.

Its not so easy though with these legacy buildings, that don’t have the security features ingrained from the start.
Look at the new US Embassy and VX for example, you’re not spray painting those without a big spray cannon. Parts of MB and other buildings in the Whitehall Secure Zone you can walk past.

Graham Moore
Graham Moore (@guest_819342)
4 months ago
Reply to  Cognitio68

Security? There is of course access control at MoD MB, but what sort of security would you need to prevent vandals doing this to the exterior again – you would need constant external patrols by CIVPOL (or a contractor??). Met Police cannot patrol every public building in London.

Then scale that up for all MoD sites – the cost would be astronomical

Jon
Jon (@guest_819682)
4 months ago
Reply to  Graham Moore

Asking the Met to police Main Building is ironic. It’s right next to New Scotland Yard, which the protestors also defaced.

This is a storm in a tea cup. Unless the protestors cough up the £60k when asked nicely, I agree with Gunbuster, redress should be sought immediately through the civil courts, including legal costs. In many ways this is more appropriate than a criminal prosecution.

I did wonder why it cost so much to clean. Surely the Stop Oil protestors used eco-friendly water-based paint, and not oil-based paints. Didn’t they?

Graham Moore
Graham Moore (@guest_819745)
4 months ago
Reply to  Jon

I am sure that MoD engaged the most expensive contractor in London to do the clean-up!

Coll
Coll (@guest_819158)
4 months ago

Also, Reverend Dr Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, a retired biology teacher, from the Just Stop Oil protest group, targeted the Magna Carta at the British Library the other day.

Graham Moore
Graham Moore (@guest_819343)
4 months ago
Reply to  Coll

These supposedly ‘intelligent’ people decided to smash the glass case with a hammer, no doubt to steal one of only 4 original documents.

How is that action going to force oil companies to cease operations?

Lord Baddlesmere
Lord Baddlesmere (@guest_819458)
4 months ago

Arrest the protesters and make them pay

Katmandoo
Katmandoo (@guest_819580)
4 months ago

£60,000??? Bollox! Councils the length and breadth of the country, are always having to clean up Graffiti of one sort of another, in some cases, on a very regular basis.

I do not ever recall having to pay out even a quarter of that amount!