Attack on Thatcher's statue 'was satirical'

A protester who decapitated an 8ft marble statue of Baroness Thatcher was driven to his act of "satirical humour" because it "represented the ills of the world's political system", a court was told yesterday.

With a cricket bat smuggled in his trousers, Paul Kelleher visited Guildhall in London intent on taking a swing at the former prime minister's figure. "As far as I can remember I thought the nose was a good focal point. It is a big nose that she has got," Mr Kelleher, 37, from Isleworth, west London, was said to have told police.

But it took more than willow to fell the Iron Lady, John Hardy, for the prosecution, told Southwark Crown Court. "Mrs Thatcher herself would no doubt be able to repel such an attack – and so could her statue," he said, explaining that Mr Kelleher ultimately picked up a metal stand from nearby the statue and beheaded it.

After the attack on the £150,000 artwork, Mr Kellehersat down and was "entirely cooperative" when the police arrived to arrest him. "When I knew she was coming here [on display] I knew I was going to have to do this," he told officers.

Mr Hardy said that while some of the jury might have a "sneaking admiration" for Mr Kelleher's actions, they should see his act as one of "wanton destruction" and ignore any thoughts they had about the former prime minister.

Mr Kelleher, representing himself, told the court: "I lopped off the head of Mrs Thatcher and of that there is no dispute ... My defence will centre around artistic expression and my right to interact with this broken world. We can ill afford to ever lose our sense of humour. I was left with no choice other than to do this act of satirical humour." He denies one charge of damaging property.

The trial continues today.