A controversial monument on a Luqa roundabout, which had the shape of a long column closely resembling a phallic symbol, has lost its upper end to vandals, who knocked it off apparently on Sunday evening.

The monument had always attracted criticism, but was left in place, in the name of art. Luqa mayor John Schembri yesterday condemned the vandalism and pointed out that the council had been against the “imposition” of the monument on the locality, and had wanted something in remembrance of a prominent personality linked with Luqa, or something related to Luqa’s civil aviation history.

The council, the mayor pointed out, has no power to act against the vandalism – that power lies with the central government. But the council called on the police to investigate the vandal act.