Historic England has been forced to confirm that it is resolutely not in favour of smashing Nelson’s Column to pieces after an animation produced to promote an upcoming event depicted a wrecking ball swinging at the landmark and seemingly prompted confusion.

Despite the implausibility of the government heritage adviser adopting such a stance on the grade I-listed monument, it issued a statement on its position with regard to the Trafalgar Square centrepiece, constructed between 1839-42 in honour of the naval hero.

The GIF animation was used to promote a debate next month that Historic England is running in partnership with the Intelligence Squared organisation, titled “Revere or remove? The battle over statues, heritage and history”.