Banksy's anti-Brexit Dover mural covered in white scaffolding

It is not clear whether the artwork has been removed or painted over

epaselect epa06920668 A view of a Brexit-inspired mural by anonymous British street artist Banksy depicting the European flag in Dover, Britain, 31 July 2018. The graffiti that appeared on a building near Dover's ferry terminal shows a worker removing one of the 12 stars from the EU flag. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

A view of a Brexit-inspired mural by anonymous British street artist Banksy depicting the European flag in Dover, Britain, before it was covered in scaffolding. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA

The National

Aug 26, 2019

A mural designed by prolific British artist Banksy depicting a star being chiselled off the EU flag has been covered in white scaffolding.

The artwork appeared in Dover, a port town on the south-east coast of England, in May 2017, less than a year after the UK voted to leave the EU.

The mural appeared on a former amusement building that was due to be knocked down.

The newly completed work by artist Banksy entitled 'Love is in the Bin' was created when the painting 'Girl with Balloon' was passed through a shredder at Sotheby's auction house in London last year (Photo by Ben STANSALL / AFP)

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In 2017, the building’s owners, the Godden family, said they were “exploring options for retention, removal or sale” of the artwork.

It is not clear whether the mural has been removed or painted over.

Local residents have been speculating about the fate of the artwork.

One called it “cultural vandalism of the highest order”, but others supported the move, saying that the port town needed regeneration and the building should be renovated.

On behalf of the people of #Dover, I would like to deplore the obliteration of our #Banksy. Cultural vandalism of the highest order. pic.twitter.com/WaUeHChCzT
— Peter Garstin, formerly of The Mash Tun Dover (@MashTunDover) August 25, 2019

Banksy, who keeps a low profile and has not revealed his true identity, caused a stir by designing a stab vest for UK grime star Stormzy for his Glastonbury performance in June.