A man has been arrested after scaling Big Ben’s Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster in central London during a pro-Palestinian protest.

16-Hour Standoff Ends in Arrest

Emergency services were called at 7.24am  on Saturday after reports of a barefoot protester climbing the iconic tower while holding a Palestinian flag. The man reached a ledge several meters up and refused to leave.

Negotiations with specialist officers and emergency crews continued throughout the day and into the night. Eventually, as Big Ben struck midnight, the man descended in an aerial ladder platform belonging to the London Fire Brigade  and was immediately arrested by Westminster Police.

Police Statement and Response

In a statement, Westminster Police confirmed the arrest:

“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.

“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.”

Disruptions and Public Reaction

The incident led to significant disruptions in the area, with the closure of Westminster Bridge, an exit at Westminster Underground Station, and Bridge Street. Tours of the Parliamentary Estate were also canceled.

A parliamentary spokesperson stated:

“This incident is being reviewed, and lessons will be learned from it.”

As the protest unfolded, a small group of pro-Palestinian supporters gathered behind police cordons at Victoria Embankment, chanting “Free Palestine” and calling the man a hero. Police imposed conditions on protests near Parliament Square to prevent further disruptions, ordering demonstrators to relocate to a nearby street.

Protester’s Defiance

In a video posted on Instagram during the standoff, the protester told negotiators he would come down on his “own terms,” warning that any approach would put him in danger.

“If you come towards me, you are putting me in danger, and I will climb higher,” he was heard saying.

Throughout the day, images showed him sitting on the ledge with the Palestinian flag and wrapping a traditional keffiyeh scarf around the decorative stonework of the tower.

Ongoing Investigation

The Metropolitan Police continue their investigation into the incident. Anyone with further information is encouraged to contact authorities. Further updates are expected as the case develops.