Big Ben Siege Ends as Protester Arrested After 16-Hour Standoff
Barefoot Man Climbs Big Ben in Palestine Protest
Chaos erupted at London’s Palace of Westminster on Saturday morning when a barefoot protester scaled the iconic Elizabeth Tower—home to Big Ben—waving a Palestinian flag. Emergency services rushed to the scene at 7:24am after reports of the man clinging to a ledge several metres above ground, refusing to come down.
16 Hours of Tense Negotiations
Negotiators and specialist officers battled to coax the man down throughout the day and night. As the clock struck midnight, the London Fire Brigade deployed an aerial ladder platform to reach him. The protester finally descended and was immediately arrested by Westminster Police.
“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,” a Westminster Police statement confirmed. “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.”
Widespread Disruption Around Westminster
The dramatic stunt caused major disruption: Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street were shut down, and an exit at Westminster Underground Station was closed. Tours of the Parliamentary Estate were also cancelled. A parliamentary spokesperson promised a full review, admitting “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 swiftly imposed conditions on protests near Parliament Square, forcing demonstrators to move to a nearby street.
Protester’s Defiant Words
During the stand-off, the man posted a video on Instagram warning officers not to approach.
“If you come towards me, you are putting me in danger, and I will climb higher,”
he declared. Pictures 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.
Investigation Ongoing
The Metropolitan Police are still investigating the incident. Anyone with information is urged to come forward. More updates are expected as the story develops.
