The auction house that earlier this evening withdrew two pieces of Banksy street art from sale has said there were no legal issues underlying its actions.
Fine Art Auctions Miami earlier this evening withdrew two items by the British street artist from an online auction, including one that had been removed from a wall in Turnpike Lane last weekend.
Campaigners including Haringey Borough Council had called for Slave Labour (Bunting Boy), which was on sale with a starting price of $400,000, to be returned to the borough, arguing it was a gift to the people of the area.
Another piece by Banksy, Wet Dog, was also on sale. It had been removed from a wall in Bethlehem
After the unexpected withdrawal of the Turnpike Lane piece from sale the Haringey Independent asked the auction house about the circumstances behind the withdrawal.
In a statement the auction house said it had asked the people on whose behalf it was selling the artworks to stop them going under the hammer.
It said: "Although there are no legal issues whatsoever regarding the sale of lots 6 and 7 by Banksy, FAAM convinced its consignors to withdraw these lots from the auction and take back the power of authority of these works."
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