CELEBRATED artist Banksy has defended a Northern Ireland riot van exhibit at his alternative theme park Dismaland after it was criticised for "exploiting the Troubles".
The art showcase at a derelict seaside lido in Somerset features a "riot control vehicle" which it is claimed was "commissioned to serve on the streets of Northern Ireland".
However, questions were raised over the vehicle after police and British Army sources said they did not recognise it as ever having been used during the Troubles.
Former Belfast lord mayor Ulster Unionist councillor Jim Rodgers branded it "disgraceful" and accused Dismaland of "exploiting the Troubles".
"For anyone to try and benefit from the Troubles in Northern Ireland, I think it's distressing, worrying and will anger many families," he said.
Dismaland has now moved to defend the exhibit on Banksy's behalf, saying: "The intention was never to 'exploit' the Troubles for entertainment purposes".
"The riot control vehicle featured in Dismaland was indeed commissioned by the Thatcher government for use in Northern Ireland, but was never put into service or in fact shipped to the area," a spokeswoman said.
"What we are exhibiting is a prototype manufactured by AMAC that never went into full production.
"Banksy felt the truck's intended role was worth highlighting - the fact the British government even considered using a vehicle with 14 sniper posts against a civilian population is remarkable.
"We are exhibiting this piece as a legitimate artefact of historical record, the intention was never to 'exploit' the troubles for entertainment purposes."
A description of the exhibit on the Dismaland 'bemusement park' website reads: "An armour plated riot control vehicle built to serve on the streets of Northern Ireland. Equipped with sniper posts, grenade launchers and now - a children's slide".
Asked about the meaning of Dismaland, Bristol-based Banksy, whose identity remains unconfirmed, said: "I guess you'd say it's a theme park whose big theme is theme parks should have bigger themes."
