Man slashed painting worth millions with a screwdriver

Two assistants had to restrain him as he attacked the painting ‘The Morning Walk’ by Thomas Gainsborough, dating back to 1785.

It was left with two long scratches which penetrated the paint layers after the incident yesterday afternoon.

Staff at the gallery removed the painting from display so they could assess the damage.

The East Wing had to be evacuated while investigations took place, and did not open for two hours.

A Metropolitan police spokesman said: ‘Police were called at approximately 2.10pm on March 18 to reports of a painting damaged at the National Gallery on Trafalgar Square.

‘A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage. He was taken to a central London police station where he remains in custody.’

Writer: Jen Mills for Metro.co.uk