“Incredible that the police won’t take action” – Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Mayor, Paul Bristow’s intervention marks a significant moment in the growing cross-party unease about the handling of the case.
The Great British PAC has stepped up its campaign for justice following the vandalism of a historic portrait at Trinity College, Cambridge, by now writing to all Cambridgeshire MPs and county councillors, urging political leaders to intervene in what it describes as a “deeply alarming failure” by police to act.
This follows previous letters to the college itself and to the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Police and Crime Commissioner, and forms part of a growing public pressure campaign led by the organisation’s University Directors Jake Reed and Jake Watts, the latter a student at the University of Cambridge.
Their latest correspondence calls on elected representatives to demand a formal review into Cambridgeshire Constabulary’s decision to close the investigation, despite the public claim of responsibility by Palestine Action, now a proscribed terrorist organisation, and the existence of video evidence and CCTV footage.
Mayor Bristow: “Incredible that the police won’t take action”
The university directors have now received the public backing of Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Mayor Paul Bristow, who expressed disbelief at the lack of police action.
“It’s incredible that the police won’t take action when it seems the perpetrator has as much admitted responsibility. Protest is legitimate. But if University officials and the police turn a blind eye to obvious criminality, they shouldn’t be surprised if it encourages escalating examples of unacceptable behaviour,” Mayor Bristow said.
His intervention marks a significant moment in the growing cross-party unease about the handling of the case.
“We’re not letting this go” — PAC leaders push on
In their latest letters to councillors and MPs, Watts and Reed write:
“We urge you to take action regarding the unacceptable decision of Cambridgeshire Constabulary to close their investigation into the vandalism of a historic portrait of Lord Balfour at Trinity College.”
The attack took place on 8 March 2024, when a member of Palestine Action entered the college and slashed the 1914 portrait by renowned artist Philip Alexius de László. The portrait depicts Lord Arthur Balfour, a former Prime Minister and Foreign Secretary.
Despite footage of the incident and the suspect being identified on social media, the police concluded they could not find the perpetrator, a stance the PAC says is indefensible.
The letter adds:
“The failure to prosecute the perpetrators — who carried out the act on behalf of a now proscribed terrorist organisation — undermines the security of our national heritage and risks emboldening further vandalism in the future.”
The PAC has requested that councillors and MPs:
- Press the Police and Crime Commissioner to demand a full review of the investigation.
- Urge the Constabulary to reconsider their decision to close the case.
- Support efforts toward public accountability and, if necessary, a private prosecution.
Exploring Private Legal Action
The organisation is already actively exploring a private prosecution to hold those responsible accountable. In earlier statements, both PAC Directors made clear they would not be backing down.
“When a group publicly admits to defacing a piece of British heritage and the police walk away, something has gone badly wrong,” Jake Watts said last week.
“This isn’t just about one painting. It’s about the message we send to radicals who think violence and vandalism are acceptable in a university setting,” added Jake Reed.
“We won’t let silence be the final word.”
The group continues to call for transparency from both Trinity College and the Cambridgeshire police, and is inviting elected officials at all levels to support their demand for answers.
Fantastic news in the Telegraph today. US-UK trade pact a ‘great deal for everybody’ says Trump. All thanks to brexit (not thanks to Labour, most tried to thwart brexit)