Women charged after Darwin grave spray-painted

Two women have been charged with criminal damage after Charles Darwin’s grave in Westminster Abbey was daubed with orange paint.

Climate protest group Just Stop Oil (JSO) said two activists used chalk paint on the ledger stone of the naturalist, who is best known for his theories on evolution.

The Met Police was called after the incident on Monday at 09:30 GMT and arrested two women.

Alyson Lee, 66, of Park Grove, Derby, and Diane Bligh, 77, of Langham Place, Frome, were bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 11 and 12 February respectively.