Clean-up under way after orange paint sprayed on King’s College, Cambridge, in Just Stop Oil protest

The clean-up at King’s College is under way after orange paint was thrown over its historic gatehouse.

The University of Cambridge college was targeted in a Just Stop Oil protest on Thursday.

The following morning, scaffolding had been erected and the paint was being cleaned off.

A 24-year-old from Cambridge was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage following the incident, as the Cambridge Independent reported.

The climate activism group Just Stop Oil took responsibility and said the action was part of its wider protest at universities which it says have shown their “willingness to collaborate” with the government.

It accuses the government of actions tantamount to “genocide” for approving the new Rosebank oil and gas field in the North Sea.

The group says that UK universities have taken £40million in fossil fuel funding since 2022, of which Cambridge has received £2.8m.

On Friday, the clean-up was under way at King’s.

A spokesperson for the college said: “King’s College is one of many institutions targeted by Just Stop Oil this week. The college is concerned about climate change and respects the right to freedom of speech and non-violent protest, but draws the line at criminal damage. Initial clean-up is under way and the site is being assessed for any longer-term damage.”