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New Banksy mural ‘under 24/7 guard after owner forked out £2,500 to protect it from sick vandals’
The man who paid for the perspex screen erupted at the council for their role in the saga
A BLOKE accused of being Banksy says he's spent £2,500 on a perspex screen to protect a mural by the artist.
George Georgiou also hired 24/7 security after the art appeared on his son's North London flat block the other week.
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The builder said he had no choice but to splash out after vandals daubed it with white paint and the council refused to "cough up".
Waiting for materials to be delivered on Monday, he told The Sun: "It's for the public really.
"Unfortunately, there are a bit too many jealous people around.
"They [Islington Council] want us to preserve it, we asked them to cough up a bit, they completely blew us out.
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"They weren't interested in any financial help."
The new Banksy features green paint on a block of flats behind a nearby tree to give the appearance of leaves.
It appeared on 390 Hornsey Road on March 17 and was later confirmed to be a Banksy on the artist's social media.
After builder George erected his perspex screen with the help of workmen, the council installed a wooden wall.
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These will have panels allowing "clear views" of the art.
Despite all the work, the 67-year-old says he has "no idea" if the mural will stay and admitted he doesn't even like Banksy.
He added: "It's not a masterpiece by any stretch of the imagination.
"I'd like to get a roller and go over it, get it over and done with, just paint it."
On Monday, George ended a "nonsense" Banksy ID conspiracy after onlookers said he looked similar to Robin Gunningham.
Many believe Mr Gunningham to be Banksy after mysterious photographs appeared to show him working on a famous mural in 2004.
Sleuths went wild as George was also papped sporting similar specs to those worn by Mr Gunningham.
But he told The Sun: "Instead of just whipping a picture, they should've just said who are you? Would've been so much easier.
"It's nonsense. I'm the landlord's father. I know nothing at all about the work."
A spokesperson for Islington Council said: “The Banksy artwork has attracted huge crowds, and there is a need to protect the art and local residents from the impact of visitor numbers.
“The clear plastic and wooden frame over the artwork was installed by the owner of the building, not by the council.
“We’ve had a lot of concerns from our residents about disruption from the numbers of visitors to the artwork, which is right outside their homes.
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“To give people more security and privacy, and to protect the tree, we’re installing a hoarding, which will include clear plastic panels to protect the artwork and allow clear views.
“We will monitor and review arrangements at the site, and will continue to explore future solutions with the building owner so people can enjoy the artwork.”
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