University to investigate worker who egged Thatcher statue

A UNIVERSITY staff member who pelted a statue of Margaret Thatcher with eggs faces an investigation after bosses said they take acts of “defacement” seriously.

Jeremy Webster, 59, who is deputy director at the University of Leicester’s Attenborough Arts Centre, was pictured throwing eggs at the statue shortly after the memorial’s installation in Grantham, Lincs, the former prime minister’s home town, on Sunday morning.

Three eggs were thrown at the statue, with a cry of “oi” heard after one hit its target.

The university said the matter is being addressed “in line with [their] own procedures”.

Lincolnshire Police said that no arrests had been made yesterday in connection with the incident, but it did receive a report of criminal damage shortly afterwards.

The bronze monument was lowered into place in the town amid previous threats of egg throwing and was booed by passing motorists.

In February 2019, a planning committee unanimously voted in favour of the £300,000 statue – which was originally intended for Parliament Square in Westminster.

Police turned up at the scene within minutes of the incident. Egg residue and a piece of shell could be seen on the statue’s lower half. Kerry Law, the chief marketing and engagement officer at the University of Leicester, said: “The University of Leicester has a long-standing history of supporting art, fostering creativity and protecting creative freedom. “It does not condone any form of defacement and takes any act of defacement extremely seriously.

“This matter will be addressed in line with the university’s own procedures.”

Two CCTV cameras have been installed around the memorial to combat any threats of vandalism, the local council said. There will be an official unveiling ceremony for the statue at a later date. Kelham Cooke, the leader of South Kesteven district council, said: “We must never hide from our history.”