Just Stop Oil: London's National Portrait Gallery artwork Rokeby Venus protest - two arrests

Two people have been arrested after the glass case protecting a 17th century painting was smashed at London's National Portrait Gallery

Just Stop Oil posted on social media that a protest targetted the Rokeby Venus - a 17th century painting famously slashed by suffragette Mary Richardson in 1914. The group said it was in response to the government revealing plans for more oil licences, "knowing it will kill millions".

Media reports suggest the King's Speech on Tuesday may include a government policy which would "lock in" oil and gas exploration licensing rounds each year for future governments. The BBC reports this could be a political trap for Labour, which plans to block new domestic fossil fuel exploration licences if it comes into power in the next general election.

In a statement posted to X, the Metropolitan Police said: "Two Just Stop Oil activists have been arrested for criminal damage. The glass protecting a painting at the National Portrait Gallery has been vandalised."

Just Stop Oil says the two activists, aged 20 and 22, used safety hammers to smash the glass covering the Rokeby Venus shortly before 11am. They then addressed the gallery, saying: "Women did not get the vote by voting, it is time for deeds not words. It is time to Just Stop Oil."

They continued: "Politics is failing us. It failed women in 1914 and it is failing us now. New oil and gas will kill millions. If we love art, if we love life, if we love our families we must Just Stop Oil."

The Rokeby Venus was famously attacked in the National Gallery by the suffragette Mary Richardson in 1914. Richardson left seven slashes on the painting, damaging the area between the figure's shoulders. Repairs were later made to the artwork.

Richardson's action was in resistance to the UK government's imprisonment of Emmeline Pankhurst.

After the incident, she said: "I have tried to destroy the picture of the most beautiful woman in mythological history as a protest against the government for destroying Mrs. Pankhurst, who is the most beautiful character in modern history."