- Title: Street artist Banksy's election offer backfires
- Date: 6th June 2017
- Summary: MUNICH, GERMANY (APRIL 14, 2016) (REUTERS) 'GRIM REAPER' ARTWORK VARIOUS OF 'DESTROY CAPITALISM' ARTWORK 'NAPALM' ARTWORK 'VERY LITTLE HELPS' ARTWORK 'NOLA' ARTWORK PAN FROM TOILET TO 'FLYING COPPER' 'PARACHUTE COW' ARTWORK 'BOMB ELEPHANT' ARTWORK 'BAR CODE CAGE TIGER' ARTWORK LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES (FILE) (REUTERS) VARIOUS BANKSY ARTWORKS ON DISPLAY AT LOS ANGELES AUCTION HOUSE VARIOUS OF 'UMBRELLA RAT' VARIOUS OF 'TROLLIES' VARIOUS OF 'TOXIC MARY' ROME, ITALY (MAY 23, 2016) (REUTERS) VARIOUS BANKSY ARTWORKS AT GALLERY IN ROME VARIOUS PEOPLE LOOKING AT ARTWORKS MAN TAKING PHOTOGRAPH OF ART ON HIS PHONE VARIOUS BANKSY ARTWORKS AT GALLERY IN ROME WOMAN LOOKING AT ARTWORK VARIOUS BANKSY ARTWORKS
- Embargoed: 20th June 2017 14:06
- Keywords: exhibition print Theresa May Conservatives UK election art Banksy
- Location: MUNICH, GERMANY / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / ROME, ITALY / LANCASHIRE / LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- City: MUNICH, GERMANY / LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA, UNITED STATES / ROME, ITALY / LANCASHIRE / LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM
- Country: United Kingdom
- Topics: Art,Arts / Culture / Entertainment,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0036K54HU5
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: His street art is some of the most famous in the world, so when mysterious graffiti artist Banksy offered free prints of his work to voters in his hometown of Bristol, England it caused a stir.
Why? Because there was a catch.
The Guardian newspaper reported on Tuesday (June 6) that constituents needed to send a photo of their ballot papers from the UK's general election this Thursday showing they voted against the Conservatives.
Labelling it an election souvenir special, Banksy was offering an exclusive new print of his famous 'girl with balloon' artwork, but with the red heart replaced by the union flag.
A legal note beneath the post insisted the offer was in no way meant to influence the choice of the electorate.
However, local police did not agree - and say they are investigating the offer after receiving a number of complaints.
The Avon and Somerset police force posted a statement to social media website Twitter, stating that it's a criminal offence for any voter to accept or agree to accept a gift in return for voting, warning anyone who partook in the offer could be at risk of prosecution.
Banksy later posted a message on his website recalling the offer, stating that he has been warned by the Electoral Commission that distribution of the free print will invalidate the election result.
In the statement, he added, "I regret to announce this ill-conceived and legally dubious promotion has now been cancelled".
The UK's general election takes place on Thursday (June 8). The latest opinion poll, by Survation for ITV, has the Conservatives' lead over Labour narrowing to just one point from six in the same poll a week earlier. - Copyright Holder: FILE REUTERS (CAN SELL)
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