Banksy Installs Statue in Central London Under Cover of Darkness

Banksy installed a statue in Waterloo Place, central London, on Wednesday, depicting a besuited man blinded by a flag. The artist confirmed the work on Instagram. The installation involved a low-loader truck, traffic cones, and a professional crew. James Peak, creator of the BBC podcast The Banksy Story, described the team as experienced professionals who likely surveilled the area and installed the piece in minutes. The statue is located near statues of Edward VII, Florence Nightingale, and the Crimean War Memorial, close to government buildings and embassies. Westminster City Council stated it did not grant permission but welcomed the artwork. The statue remains accessible to the public, with safety barriers in place. Previous Banksy works have been stolen, but the size of this piece makes theft less likely. The council is considering its options regarding the statue's future.