Two women in 80s charged after Magna Carta display case attacked
Reverend Sue Parfitt, 82, and Judith Bruce, 85, were arrested on Friday at the British Library.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Two women in their 80s have been charged with criminal damage after the glass around the Magna Carta at the British Library was attacked.
Reverend Sue Parfitt, 82, from Bristol, and Judith Bruce, 85, from Swansea, were arrested on Friday morning and have been charged with criminal damage, the Metropolitan Police said.
Two protesters targeted the protective enclosure around the historic document with a hammer and chisel on Friday morning.
Just Stop Oil said the pair then held up a sign reading “The Government is breaking the law” before gluing themselves to the display.
A statement from the British Library said its security team “intervened to prevent further damage to the case, which was minimal” and “the Magna Carta itself remains undamaged”.
The gallery that houses the display is closed until further notice, it added.
The pair were released on bail and are due to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on June 20.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.