Chaos erupted at London’s Palace of Westminster on Saturday morning when a barefoot protester climbed the iconic Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, waving a Palestinian flag.
Emergency services were called to the scene at 7:24am after reports that the man was clinging to a ledge several metres above the ground and refusing to come down.
Negotiators and specialist officers engaged in tense discussions throughout the day and night to persuade the man to descend safely. As midnight approached, the London Fire Brigade used an aerial ladder platform to reach him.
The protester eventually came down and was immediately arrested by Westminster Police.
In a statement, Westminster Police said, “This has been a protracted incident due to the specifics of where the man was located and the need to ensure the safety of our officers, the individual, and the wider public. We worked with other agencies, including the London Fire Brigade, and deployed specialist officers to bring this incident to a close as quickly as possible while minimizing risk to life.”
The dramatic protest caused significant disruption in the area. Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street were closed, and an exit at Westminster Underground Station was shut. Tours of the Parliamentary Estate were cancelled for the day.
A parliamentary spokesperson confirmed that a full review would take place, stating, “Lessons will be learned from it.”
Meanwhile, a crowd of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered nearby at Victoria Embankment, chanting “Free Palestine” and calling the climber a hero. Police quickly imposed conditions on protests near Parliament Square, requiring demonstrators to relocate to a nearby street.
During the standoff, the protester posted a video on Instagram warning officers not to approach him, saying, “If you come towards me, you are putting me in danger, and I will climb higher.”
Photos from the day showed him sitting on the ledge draped in a Palestinian flag and wrapping a traditional keffiyeh scarf around the tower’s stonework.
The Metropolitan Police are continuing their investigation into the incident and have urged anyone with information to come forward. Further updates are expected as the situation develops.
Originally published by UKNIP.
