A Banksy statue that appeared overnight on a plinth in central London could become a permanent fixture, as Westminster city council deliberates whether to let it stay.

The work sits at Waterloo Place, in the St James's neighbourhood of central London. It depicts a suited man carrying a large flag that drapes across his face, blinding him as he steps forward — halfway off the plinth, mid-stride, unable to see where he is going.

Banksy confirmed he was the artist behind the piece in an Instagram post on 30 April 2026, sharing footage of its nighttime installation. The video showed a large crane lowering the statue into position under cover of darkness. Since then, the work has drawn crowds of passers-by and photographers to the small square near Pall Mall.

As of 28 July 2026, the council had made no final decision on whether the statue will remain permanently. A Westminster city council spokesperson told The Art Newspaper that the statue will stay in place for at least the next few weeks, and that a decision is expected by the end of summer 2026. The attribution comes directly from the council spokesperson speaking to the publication, making it The Art Newspaper's own reporting rather than a press release or wire copy. The Art Newspaper

For the council, the question is practical as much as artistic. A permanent installation on public land in central London involves planning considerations, maintenance responsibilities and public safety reviews — the usual machinery that sits behind any decision to let a piece of street art become civic infrastructure.

For the crowds who stop to photograph the suited man and his blinding flag, none of that paperwork changes what they see: a figure charging forward, face covered, unable to look ahead.