National Gallery bans visitors from bringing in liquids to halt attacks by eco louts

THE National Gallery has banned visitors from bringing in liquids to halt attacks by eco louts.

Famous paintings at the London venue have been targeted five times since July 2022 — and twice in the past two weeks.

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All liquids except baby formula, expressed milk and medicines are now banned.

Bosses also said it would take longer to get into the gallery.

A spokesman said: “The attacks have caused damage to artworks, distress to visitors and staff and disruption to our mission to ensure great art is available for everyone, everywhere to enjoy.”

On Monday, three Just Stop Oil protesters denied criminal damage after the latest incident.

Last month, Phoebe Plummer, 23, and Anna Holland, 22, were jailed for flinging soup at ­Vincent Van Gogh’s Sunflowers in October 2022.

Yesterday art fans bemoaned the new rules and slammed JSO for their callous attacks.

Kenny Burnett wrote: “Another case of all the public being affected by the actions of a few lunatics… sad to see… but I cannot blame you as the art needs to be protected.”

Patricia Marston added: “So sad that this has to be done, but appreciate you taking steps to keep the art and visitors safe. Thank you.”

The 200-year old gallery, in Trafalgar Square, Central London, houses more than 2,300 historically significant paintings.

Its collections, viewed by three million tourists a year, include Sunflowers, John Constable’s The Hay Wain and Claude Monet’s Water Lily.

Last week Just Stop Oil leaders invited museum directors to meet them while mockingly promising to “leave the soup at home”.