A protester who climbed Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, has been safely brought down by emergency workers, bringing the hours-long incident to a close.
Protester Rescued by Emergency Crews
The barefoot individual, who scaled the iconic London landmark carrying a Palestinian flag, had been perched on a ledge since 7:20 AM on Saturday. Emergency services, including the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and London Ambulance Service, worked tirelessly to engage with the man and persuade him to come down.
Eventually, emergency crews used an aerial ladder platform to lift him to safety late on Saturday evening.
Road Closures Lifted
Following the resolution of the incident, authorities have reopened Westminster Bridge and surrounding roads, which had been cordoned off for much of the day as police managed the situation.
Police Statement
A Metropolitan Police source at the scene confirmed:
“The incident at Elizabeth Tower has now concluded. The individual has been safely removed, and road closures have been lifted. We thank the public for their patience.”
Investigation Ongoing
The motivation behind the protest remains under investigation, with reports suggesting the protester was demonstrating in support of Palestine. It is not yet clear what legal action, if any, will be taken.
This high-profile security breach has raised concerns about how the man gained access to the highly secured parliamentary estate, with MPs calling for a review of security measures.
More updates to follow as further details emerge.
