MP: Thatcher statue egging ‘a disgrace’ INCIDENT TOOK PLACE LESS THAN TWO HOURS AFTER THE STATUE WAS INSTALLED
A HAMPSHIRE MP has said the egging of a new statue of Margaret Thatcher is a “disgrace”.
The carving of the former Prime Minister was vandalised less than two hours after it was lowered into place in her home town of Grantham, in Lincolnshire, on the morning of Sunday May 15.
The statue was erected onto a 10ft-high plinth, despite previous threats of “egg throwing”, and was booed by passing motorists.
At the scene, the protester threw eggs from behind a temporary fence surrounding the memorial, with a cry of “oi” heard after one hit part of the monument.
Lincolnshire Police said no arrests have been made in connection with the incident, but they did receive a report of criminal damage shortly after 10am.
North East Hampshire MP Ranil Jayawardena turned to Twitter to share his thoughts on the vandalism. He wrote: “This is a disgrace”. In February 2019, a planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the £300,000 statue – which was originally intended for Parliament Square in Westminster.
After a large-scale £100,000 unveiling ceremony was approved by the South Kesteven District Council in 2020, a Facebook group proposing an “egg-throwing contest” at the event attracted interest from more than 13,000 people.
A CCTV camera has been installed directly opposite the memorial to attempt to combat any threats of vandalism, the council said.
A man in a white T-shirt was seen holding an egg carton in one hand and preparing to throw an egg from the other on the morning of the unveiling. Egg residue and a piece of shell could be seen on the statue’s lower half and police turned up at the scene within minutes of the incident.
In a statement, a spokesman for
Lincolnshire Police said: “We have received reports of criminal damage to the Margaret Thatcher statue shortly after 10am this morning [May 15].
“No arrests have been made. Inquiries are still ongoing.”
A spokesman for the district council said the Public Memorials Appeal, which funded the monument through donations, will host an official unveiling ceremony at a later date. Leader of South Kesteven District Council, Kelham Cooke, said “we must never hide from our history”, adding it is “appropriate the debate that surrounds her legacy takes place here in Grantham”.
A MAN was arrested on Thursday after police responded to a report of indecent exposure in Basingbourne Park, Fleet. As part of their enquiries, a 56-year-old man, from Fleet, was arrested on suspicion of exposure, possession of a controlled Class B drug and breach of a restraining order. Police have launched a witness appeal to find anyone in the area – which consists of a play park and a large green – who can help with their enquiries. A spokesman for Hampshire Constabulary said: In relation to the exposure offence, the man has been released under investigation and our enquiries are ongoing.” A spokesman had said last week: “Police were called at 5pm on Thursday May 19 to a report that a man had been exposing himself in Basingbourne Park. “We are taking this report seriously and an investigation is ongoing, but we would like to make contact with any witnesses. Were you in the area at the time? Did you witness the incident mentioned or see any suspicious behaviour? Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101, quoting 44220198317. Alternatively, you can report online at https://www. hampshire.police.uk/” Witnesses can also contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111, or via the online form at crimestoppers-uk.org