An incident unfolded at the iconic Big Ben, officially known as the Elizabeth Tower, on Saturday morning when a man scaled the historic structure, clutching a Palestinian flag. The situation, which began at approximately 7.20 am, continued through Saturday night as emergency services struggled to convince him to descend.

The man, who is reported to be barefoot and suffering from injuries to his feet, was seen on a ledge several metres high. Negotiators engaged with him in attempts to secure a safe conclusion, yet by 10.30 pm, he had yet to comply, declaring he would come down “on his own terms.” In a video shared on Instagram, he reassured authorities of his safety, despite visible injuries, and cautioned them against approaching, stating, “If you come towards me you are putting me in danger and I will climb higher.”

Support for the protester appeared strong, with a group of onlookers gathering on Victoria Embankment, chanting phrases such as “Free Palestine” and “You are a hero.” The emergency response, which included a significant presence of police, firefighters from multiple stations, and ambulance services, resulted in the closure of both Westminster Bridge and portions of Bridge Street. Additionally, bus routes 3, 11, 148, C10, and 159 were diverted due to the ongoing incident.

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty raised concerns regarding security protocols, stating, “Every day in Parliament I see dozens of armed police officers patrolling Portcullis House and the parliamentary estate. Where were they today?” He emphasised the need for a full explanation about how the protester managed to breach security measures so effortlessly.

In a statement, a parliamentary spokesperson acknowledged the incident, noting that it was being managed by the Metropolitan Police, supported by the London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service. They confirmed the cancellation of parliamentary tours scheduled for Saturday due to the unforeseen event.

Witnesses described the scene as striking, with one bystander, Luke Whelan, recounting his surprise at seeing the man live streaming his ascent, initially mistaking it for a stunt by a free-running influencer. Footage captured during the incident showcased the man urging responders not to intervene, despite visible blood from his injuries.

As night fell, the response teams remained on-site, continuously attempting to deescalate the situation. A fire brigade spokesperson detailed the co-operative efforts made to ensure the protester’s safe descent, stating that resources deployed included a hazardous area response team trained for complex environments.

Previous instances of protests involving the Elizabeth Tower were also highlighted, including a 2019 incident where an Extinction Rebellion activist climbed scaffolding adorned in a wig resembling then-Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

As of late Saturday night, the man remained on the ledge, amidst ongoing discussions with negotiators, police, and emergency personnel, as the situation continued to generate significant public interest and media coverage in central London.

Source: Noah Wire Services