A vandal used spray paint to scrawl the word “Help” across a portrait of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Abbey, one painted by Aussie-born artist Ralph Heimans.  Police arrested a suspect at the church.

The 2.5-meter by 3.4-meter portrait was commissioned to mark last year's anniversary of the Queen's 60 years on the throne.  It was on display until March in our National Portrait Gallery in Canberra and was recently bought by Westminster Abbey for its collection.  Mr. Heimans was granted an audience with the Queen for his work, which took his 6 months to complete.

Just last week, the queen and her family attended a ceremony in the abbey to mark the 60th anniversary of her coronation there in June 1953.

The suspect is reportedly a 41-year old man, and a member of a group called “Fathers 4 Justice” which a protest group that campaigns on behalf of fathers denied contact with their children.  The alleged vandal reportedly wanted to see his children for Father’s Day, which is held on the third Sunday of June in the United Kingdom.  It is not known why he was denied contact with the kids.