The statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square in Westminster has been defaced overnight with “Zionist war criminal” and other graffiti.

Other phrases including “Stop the Genocide” and “Free Palestine” were sprayed in red paint on the bronze sculpture.

Further graffiti read “Never again is Now” and “Globalise the Intifada”.

The statue has been cordoned off and was being cleaned this morning.

Commenting on the image, which was shared on X, Dave Rich, director of policy for Community Security Trust, posted: “Free Palestine” and a Hamas red triangle, if you zoom in close enough. This extremism is never just a threat to Jews.”

One social media user wrote: “What a disgrace to the memory of the greatest Briton!”

Another posted: “Educating the masses – he was indeed a Zionist War Criminal”.

The statue was installed on the north-east corner of the square in 1973.

Last December both the Metropolitan Police and Greater Manchester Police announced anyone chanting “globalise the intifada” would face arrest.

The decision by the two police forces came in the wake of the Bondi Beach terror attack, and the terror attack at Heaton Park synagogue in Manchester on 2 October.

The Metropolitan Police and Westminster City Council have been contacted for comment.

This breaking news story is being updated and more details will be published shortly.

Please refresh the page for the fullest version.

You can receive breaking news alerts on a smartphone or tablet via the Sky News app. You can also follow us on WhatsApp and subscribe to our YouTube channel to keep up with the latest news.