Karl Marx memorial vandalised for second time in as many weeks

The words “Doctrine of Hate” and “Architect of Genocide” were daubed in red on the grave of Highgate Cemetery’s most famous resident.

The latest episode follows a hammer attack on the monument in north London two weeks ago, which prompted the charity which runs the cemetery to lament that the memorial “will never be the same again”.

Maxwell Blowfield said he was “quite shocked” to see the vandalism when he visited the cemetery on Saturday morning with his mother.

Mr Blowfield, 31, who works as a press officer with the British Museum, said it was particularly sad as tourists regularly visit the site.