Barefoot Protester Clings to Big Ben, Flying Palestinian Flag
A defiant barefoot protester has scaled Elizabeth Tower—home to the iconic Big Ben—and refuses to come down, waving a Palestinian flag after breaking into the Houses of Parliament early Saturday.
Emergency teams including the Metropolitan Police, London Fire Brigade, and London Ambulance Service have been on site since 7:20 AM trying to coax him down safely. Negotiators have been locked in a tense dialogue for hours, worried about his bleeding foot and the dropping temperatures as night falls.
Protester Demands to Descend on His Own Terms
In a recent 123 over fears it might escalate tensions near a synagogue during Shabbat.
A Parliamentary spokesperson confirmed all estate tours are cancelled as the standoff drags on.
The Met Police released a statement:
“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.
Transport Mayhem in Westminster
- Bridge Street and the north end of Westminster Bridge remain closed
- Bus routes 3, 11, 12, 148, and 453 are on diversion
- One exit at Westminster Tube Station is shuttered, though trains run as normal
What’s Next?
The protest standoff has now lasted over 12 hours, with no sign of the man coming down. Authorities stay on high alert, hoping for a peaceful end while probing how such a daring security breach was possible.
