The future of the Banksy mural on the wall outside Reading Prison remains uncertain.

Last week the elusive street artist left his mark outside the empty Victorian prison, which is owned by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ).

Reading Borough Council, which wants to buy the building and convert it into an arts and cultural centre, says MoJ should “make suitable arrangements to protect the image”.

However, the government department has not revealed whether it is planning to protect the mural or remove it.

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An MoJ spokesman said: “We are aware there’s a Banksy piece and we will provide an update on the situation in due course.”

It is a criminal offence to demolish, rebuild or make other significant changes to listed properties without written permission from the council.

The main prison building, which once held playwright Oscar Wilde, is Grade II listed but the wall outside is not.

A Historic England spokeswoman said: “The perimeter wall is specifically excluded from the listing.

“Listed building consent would not be needed to remove it.”

The Banksy mural on the wall of Reading Prison

The Banksy mural on the wall of Reading Prison

John Brandler, owner of Brandler Galleries, has acquired 40 Banksy pieces and hired specialist engineers to remove some of them from brick walls.

Last month, he paid for a Banksy mural, of a girl hula-hooping with a bicycle tyre, to be cut out of a wall in Nottingham.

The collector described the Reading mural as “phenomenal” but said he will not be adding it to his collection.

He said: “This is so tall and thin. Where would you hang it? Where would you display it?”

Last year, the MOJ rejected a Reading Borough Council bid to buy the prison, which has not housed any inmates since 2013.

The council says it will submit another bid on March 15 but details of that bid “remain commercially confidential at this time”.

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Cllr Jason Brock, leader of the council, said: “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to deliver a unique culture and heritage hub for Reading.

“We firmly believe a successful bid by the council would be a game changer.

“A catalyst for further investment in Reading, a key driver in our recovery from Covid and the creation of a site of local, regional and national significance in the heart of our town and in our historic Abbey Quarter.”