LONDON: A male was arrested first Sunday after he climbed the Big Ben tower at the Palace of Westminster in central London while outdoors and holding a Palestinian symbol. The man, who appeared to be staging a protest on a ledge several metres (yards ) up Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, stepped off the building after midnight and onto a cherry picker following a long conversation with negotiators. He got into a waiting hospital.
Transportation around the Palace of Westminster in London had come to a halt for much of Saturday as emergency crew tried to reach the person. Diplomats were lifted up on a fireplace brigade rope program several times before finally talking him down.
Westminster Bridge and a local street were closed for much of the day and some emergency service vehicles were at the scene as audiences looked on. Authorities also blocked off all walking exposure to Parliament Square. A smaller group of supporters shouted” Free Palestine” from behind a police ring nearby.
Authorities said tour of the Houses of Parliament were cancelled because of the event.
The Metropolitan Police confirmed that the person has now been arrested.
” This has been a long affair due to the details of where the person was located and the need to ensure the safety of our officers, the person and the wider public”, it said in a speech.
