Loretto’s mural of the Mayor STREET murals of the London mayor Sadiq Khan and prime minister Theresa May dressed provocatively have been removed after complaints they were “contentious”. Displayed on the side of the Food Bazaar Café in Gray’s Inn Road in Holborn, private contractors Veolia removed the mural two weeks ago. The stencil, painted by graffiti artist Loretto, showed the Mayor almost nude, emulating a strip dancer performing for a joyous crowd, with only a bow tie and “mankini” to protect his modesty.

Camden Council said it works on a scale that has graded the work “contentious”, a bracket that includes anything “obscene, racist, political and religious”.

Café owner Said Effafali, said the Loretto’s murals were good for his business, with “hundreds of people taking pictures”. Mr Effafali said: “I explained to them [the council] that if one person complains, then 99 still like it.” He said he believed the murals were removed because they displayed British officials. “Art is not to everybody’s liking. Of course you’ll offend people, but a majority likes it.” He added: “We don’t know what’s not offensive any more.”