A protester holding a Palestinian flag gestures from the side of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as "Big Ben", at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London, on 8 March 2025. Photo: Ben Stansall / AFP
A man who climbed Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower at London's Palace of Westminster waving a Palestinian flag early on Saturday has come down after 16 hours, according to Sky News.
Local media reported he shouted "free Palestine".
Emergency crews had gone up in a crane to negotiate with the man, and he came down after earlier telling negotiators he would come down "on his own terms", according to the Sky News report.
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police earlier said they were alerted to the incident at Elizabeth Tower (Big Ben) at 7.24am (8.24pm NZT).
"Officers are at the scene working to bring the incident to a safe conclusion. They are being assisted by the London Fire Brigade and the London Ambulance Service," the spokesperson said.
Members of the emergency services communicate with a protester holding a Palestinian flag positioned on the side of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock's bell "Big Ben", at the Palace of Westminster, home to the Houses of Parliament, in central London. Photo: BEN STANSALL / AFP
Emergency services closed Westminster Bridge on Saturday morning in response to the incident, and parliamentary tours were also cancelled, according to Sky News.
**_\- Reuters_**