TWO Just Stop Oil protesters in their 80s have smashed the glass around the Magna Carta at the British Library.
Reverend Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, a retired biology teacher targeted the protective enclosure around the historic document with a hammer and chisel on Friday morning.
Reverend Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judy Bruce, 85, targeted the Magna CarterPA
PAThe pair targeted the Magna Carta protective casing with a hammer and chisel[/caption]
The pair claimed the Government is ‘breaking the law’Twitter
Video shows Rev Parfitt holding the chisel as Ms Bruce slowly hammers and the glass cracks, with people seen filming them.
The Magna Carta was issued in June 1215 and was the first document to put into writing the principle that the King and his government were not above the law.
It comes after Labour MP Steve Reed told The Sun’s Never Mind The Ballots show protesters like Just Stop Oil “aggravate and upset the public”.
The campaign group said the pair held up a sign reading “The Government is breaking the law” before gluing themselves to the display.
Social media users have been quick to criticise the pair.
One said: “Absolutely disgusting behaviour. Lock em up.”
Another added: “Over privileged numpties again. Probably think they can get way with it because of age.
“Should have more respect and need severe punishment. Do the crime do the time.”
A third said: “Pathetic. And it didn’t even break.”
The police have confirmed two people were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage.
A Metropolitan Police spokesperson said: “At 10.52 police were called to the British Library to reports of Just Stop Oil activists trying to damage the Magna Carta.
“Officers arrested two people on suspicion of criminal damage, both of which are currently in custody.
“The damage caused was to the protective case and not the exhibit itself.”
The pair glued themselves to the displayJUST STOP OIL/UNPIXS
Police confirmed two people were arrestedJUST STOP OIL/UNPIXS Published: [#item_custom_pubDate]
