Gaza protesters arrested after weapons firm's office covered in red paint

Two pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested after a weapons company's central London office was doused in red paint.

Activists from the Palestine Action group spray painted messages like "Free Gaza" and "Free Palestine" across Leonardo's office at Eagle Place, Piccadilly.

One man wearing a balaclava was filmed up on the canopy above the entrance, condemning Leonardo for supplying the Israeli military while releasing red flare smoke into the air.

He was up there all morning, but at 1.44pm the Metropolitan Police revealed he had been arrested.

"Two men have been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage, which we are investigating as hate crime," the force wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "Messages about the conflict between Israel and Hamas have been painted onto the building in red paint, which has also been thrown at it. We have no tolerance for graffiti with a hate connotation in London.

"One of the men who climbed onto the canopy above the building was safely removed by officers. Both men are in police custody."

Meanwhile during the morning rush hour a separate group of Jewish protesters held a prayer service at London St Pancras Station calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The group were heard chanting "stop bombing Gaza", and "not in our name" before the British Transport Police eventually moved them along.

Some members of the group were seen wearing cloaks saying “free Palestine” and “never again for anyone”.

A British Transport Police spokesperson said: "Just after 8am today (2 November), our officers attended a sit-in protest at St Pancras railway station.

"The group were reported to be peaceful and there were no reports of disorder. There was no impact on the station services and by 8.45am the group had moved on. "Anyone wishing to make a report related to this incident can text 61016 or call 0800 40 50 40 with reference 116 of 2 November 2023."