Protester wearing a Spider-Man mask takes hammer to BBC HQ statue

Eric Gill’s Prospero and Ariel statue is a vile presence on the BBC building as a result of the sculptor’s diaries revealing he sexually abused his daughters.

It is the second time the work at Broadcasting House has been targeted.

Damage from a previous incident, when a protester took a hammer to it last year, is still being repaired.

The Metropolitan Police was called at 04:15 BST on Saturday to reports of a man who was damaging a sculpture after climbing scaffolding.

A spokesman said: “It has not been possible to safely detain the man given the circumstances of the incident, including the height.

“Specialist officers have been called to the scene.”

The man could be seen leaning against scaffolding while donning a Spiderman mask.

He was seen holding a banner that read: “BBC: Epicentre of propaganda, paedophiles and b*******. Police - corrupt to the core, only serving and protecting corporations and elites.”

By 11.30 BST on Saturday, he could be seen leaning back on scaffolding while the police watched on.

The BBC entrance was temporarily shut on 9 May as repairs were made to the sculpture.

They said at the time that they expected the work to be completed by 19 June.