A barefoot protester with a Palestinian flag scaled the iconic Elizabeth Tower, leading to a significant response from police and emergency services.
Emergency services cordoned off the area around the iconic Big Ben in Westminster after a man scaled the Elizabeth Tower, which houses the clock and bell, on Saturday morning. The incident, involving a barefoot protester wielding a Palestinian flag, began to unfold at approximately 7.24 am on 8 March.
According to a spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police, officers were alerted to the situation and quickly arrived on the scene to safely manage the unfolding events. They received assistance from both the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service in their efforts. A police spokesperson noted, “Officers are at the scene working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion.”
Witnesses reported seeing the man perching on a ledge high above the ground as crowds gathered beyond a police cordon. A statement from the London Fire Brigade indicated that their crews were notified of the incident shortly after the police, with firefighters from stations including Lambeth, Chelsea, Soho, and Islington dispatched to respond.
Luke Whelan, an SEO editor for MailOnline who observed the incident, described the scene: “I was cycling to work when I noticed him climbing up Big Ben. He looked like he was live streaming himself or on a video call or something. I assumed he was a free-runner influencer as he seemed very relaxed up there.”
The police closure affected Bridge Street, located at the north end of Westminster Bridge, to facilitate emergency operations in the area. The historical significance of Big Ben, which was completed in 1859, is underscored by its prominence as a symbol of British history and culture, making the incident both surprising and noteworthy for passers-by and officials alike.
As emergency services work to resolve the situation, the scene remains tense but under control, as both authorities and onlookers await further developments.
Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.gbnews.com/news/pro-palestine-protester-big-ben-police-shutdown-westminster-bridge – This URL corroborates the incident involving a pro-Palestine protester climbing Big Ben and the subsequent police response, including the shutdown of Westminster Bridge.
- https://www.lbc.co.uk/news/uk/big-ben-palestine-man-flag-london-latest/ – This URL supports the details of the incident, including the protester holding a Palestinian flag and standing on a ledge of the Elizabeth Tower.
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Ben – This URL provides historical context about Big Ben, which was completed in 1859 and is a significant symbol of British history and culture.
- https://www.met.police.uk/ – This is the official website of the Metropolitan Police, which would have information on their response to incidents like the Big Ben protester.
- https://www.london-fire.gov.uk/ – This URL is for the London Fire Brigade, which assisted in responding to the incident at Big Ben.
- https://www.londonambulance.nhs.uk/ – This URL is for the London Ambulance Service, which also provided assistance during the incident.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
10
Notes:
The incident occurred on 8 March 2025, indicating that the information is very recent and not recycled from older news.
Quotes check
Score:
8
Notes:
The quote from Luke Whelan, an SEO editor for MailOnline, appears to be original and specific to this incident. However, without further online sources confirming this as the first use, the score is slightly reduced.
Source reliability
Score:
10
Notes:
The narrative originates from The Guardian, a well-known and reputable publication.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The incident described is plausible given the context of public protests and the symbolic significance of Big Ben. However, specific details about the protester’s intentions or outcomes are not fully disclosed.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is highly reliable due to its recent occurrence and origin from a reputable source. The quotes appear original, and the incident is plausible within the context of public demonstrations.
