According to police, a man who climbed Big Ben in London and spent the day seated atop the ancient clock tower while flying a Palestinian flag was taken into custody soon after he descended on Sunday after midnight.
A cherry picker was seen carrying him to the ground, where emergency personnel were waiting, according to photos taken at the scene.
The man was taken into custody during the “protracted incident,” London’s Metropolitan Police department hinted, which was initially notified of the climber at around 0700 GMT on Saturday.
While emergency personnel persuaded him to descend from the Elizabeth Tower in central London, better known for its clock bell, Big Ben, the man spent the day sitting barefoot on a ledge several meters up the monument.
However, social media footage showed the man wearing a baseball cap and hoodie saying, “I will come down on my terms.” Negotiators had boarded a fire truck lift and used a loudspeaker to speak with the individual.
Negotiators voiced worries in the video about a foot injury, stating that there was “quite a lot of blood” and that his clothing was too warm because the temperature decreased after dark.
Earlier, AFP reporters on the scene reported that the man seemed to be bleeding from his foot.
“Free Palestine” and “you are a hero” were chanted by fans as crowds gathered behind a police cordon.
Westminster Bridge and the surrounding area were cordoned off by police, and tours of the Houses of Parliament were cancelled.
All local roads have been reopened, according to Westminster police.
“I witness dozens of armed police officers patrolling the legislative estate and Portcullis House every day in Parliament. “Where are they now?” Ben Obese-Jecty, a conservative MP, posted on X.
“On Monday, there needs to be a full explanation to MPs and staff as to how this protester was able to evade security so easily.”
Pro-Palestinian demonstrators on Friday night sprayed the words “GAZA IS NOT 4 SALE” in large white letters across the grounds of US President Donald Trump’s Scottish golf estate.
The Palestine Action group said it was a “direct response to the stated intent of the US administration to ethnically cleanse Gaza.”
Following a report of damage, Police Scotland informed AFP that it was looking into the matter.
