Man Pleads Not Guilty Over Big Ben Clock Tower Protest

A man accused of scaling Big Ben’s iconic clock tower in a dramatic pro-Palestinian protest has pleaded not guilty to charges of public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site.

Daniel Day, 29, is alleged to have climbed the Elizabeth Tower barefoot at around 7.20am on March 8, remaining perched high above Westminster for more than 16 hours while holding a Palestinian flag. The protest concluded shortly after midnight when Day was brought down by emergency crews using a cherry picker.

Charges and Court Appearance

Appearing at Southwark Crown Court on Monday, Day denied intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site, both criminal offences under UK law. The charges stem from his high-profile demonstration at one of the country’s most recognisable landmarks.
Critics, however, argue that targeting protected landmarks like the Elizabeth Tower poses a risk to public safety and stretches emergency resources. The Elizabeth Tower, more commonly known as Big Ben (though that name technically refers to the bell inside), is a Grade I listed building and an internationally protected site.

What’s Next?

Daniel Day is set to return to Southwark Crown Court on June 8, 2026, for a trial expected to draw further public and media scrutiny. The case raises ongoing questions about the limits of protest, public safety, and how far individuals can go to make a political point in the UK’s most symbolic spaces.

Day has not issued a public statement, but campaigners supporting him say his actions were a peaceful expression of conscience in the face of international injustice.

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