Women charged after Charles Darwin's Westminster Abbey grave targeted by activists
The pair are due at Westminster Magistrates court next month.
Last updated 14th Jan 2025
Two women have been charged with criminal damage after Charles Darwin's grave was spray-painted in Westminster Abbey on Monday.
The Metropolitan Police said Alyson Lee, 66, of Park Grove, Derby, and Diane Bligh, 77, of Langham Place, Frome, will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court on February 11 and February 12 respectively.
The slogan "1.5 is dead" was marked in chalk paint on the 19th-century biologist's grave at about 9.30am on Monday in a protest by Just Stop Oil.
On Monday a Westminster Abbey spokesperson said: "Westminster Abbey can confirm that orange chalk was sprayed by climate activists on Charles Darwin's gravestone today.
"The Abbey's conservators are taking immediate action to clean the memorial and do not anticipate that there will be any permanent damage.
"The police were called to the scene and dealt with the incident. The Abbey remains open for visiting and worshipping."