Man charged over defaced Queen portrait

The Queen’s portrait was defaced in Westminster Abbey

By Nicole Hamer |

11:54 14 June 2013

A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and is to appear in court on Friday, 14th June, 2014, as of time of writing. This follows a portrait of the Queen being defaced in Westminster Abbey.

The man who stands accused has been named as Tim Haries, who is 41 years old, from Doncaster. Scotland Yard said he was detained at Westminster Abbey by security guards.

A spokesperson for Westminster Abbey said that the portrait of Queen Elizabeth II was defaced with spray paint.

They said: “A visitor to the abbey sprayed paint on the Ralph Heimans portrait of the Queen presently on display in the Chapter House.”

A campaign group called Fathers 4 Justice has claimed that it thinks one of its members committed the act. This has not been officially confirmed however.

Although, Fathers 4 Justice said in a statement that it was not an official protest by them.

The organisation fights for improved rights for men. This is in regards to those who state their access to their child has been denied.

It is believed the portrait, which was created by Ralph Heimans, who was born in Australia but is based in the UK, has been removed from show in the wake of the incident.

It was made visible to the public in Chapter House last month. The portrait was presented for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee last year.

Queen Elizabeth celebrated her 60th anniversary for her coronation recently.