LONDON, March 9 — A man who scaled London’s Big Ben and spent the day perched on the historic clock tower with a Palestinian flag was arrested shortly after descending past midnight on Sunday, police confirmed.
LONDON, March 9 — A man who scaled London’s Big Ben and spent the day perched on the historic clock tower with a Palestinian flag was arrested shortly after descending past midnight on Sunday, police confirmed.
Images from the scene showed a cherry picker lowering him to emergency crews waiting on the ground.
London’s Metropolitan Police, which was first alerted to the incident around 7:00 a.m. GMT on Saturday, described the event as a “protracted incident” and confirmed the man’s arrest.
Throughout the day, he remained barefoot on a ledge several meters up the Elizabeth Tower, more commonly known as Big Ben, while emergency teams urged him to come down.
Negotiators used a fire truck lift and a megaphone to communicate with him, but social media footage showed him, wearing a hoodie and baseball cap, stating, “I will come down on my own terms.”
Officials expressed concerns about an apparent foot injury, noting there was "quite a lot of blood" and that his clothing was insufficient as temperatures dropped after nightfall. AFP journalists at the scene reported visible bleeding from his foot.
A crowd gathered behind a police cordon, with supporters chanting “Free Palestine” and “You are a hero.”
Authorities closed off the surrounding area, including Westminster Bridge, while the Houses of Parliament canceled tours. However, Westminster police later confirmed all roads had been reopened.
Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty criticized the security lapse, posting on X: “Every day in Parliament I see dozens of armed police officers patrolling Portcullis House and the parliamentary estate. Where were they today? On Monday, there needs to be a full explanation to MPs and staff as to how this protester was able to evade security so easily.”
The incident follows another pro-Palestinian demonstration on Friday night, when activists spray-painted “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in large white letters on the lawn of US President Donald Trump’s golf resort in Scotland.
The activist group Palestine Action claimed responsibility, calling it a response to the US administration’s stance on Gaza. Police Scotland confirmed an investigation is underway following reports of damage. — AFP
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