A pro-Palestinian demonstrator who scaled the Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, has been arrested after spending over 16 hours on the London landmark.

The man, seen holding a Palestinian flag, climbed the tower just after 7 a.m. on Saturday, shocking bystanders. Emergency services, including police, firefighters, and paramedics, quickly responded to the scene at the Palace of Westminster.

He was eventually brought down around midnight, following multiple attempts by emergency personnel and negotiators to convince him to descend. A final effort was made at approximately 6 p.m., when authorities used an aerial ladder platform to reach him.

A video recorded by the protester captured three emergency responders expressing concerns about his safety. Police later confirmed his arrest in a statement released after 1 a.m., citing the complexities of the situation and the need to ensure the well-being of officers, the individual, and the public.

During negotiations, officials noted a potential injury to his foot, mentioning visible bleeding and the man's insufficient clothing as temperatures dropped. Despite being barefoot, the protester insisted he was unharmed and said, “I will come down on my own terms. Right now, I am saying I am safe. If you come towards me, you are putting me in danger, and I will climb higher.”

Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty questioned how the protester had managed to breach security at Parliament, demanding a full explanation from authorities on Monday.

The incident attracted large crowds, prompting police to establish a cordon, cancel parliamentary tours, and close Westminster Bridge. Pedestrian access at Parliament Square was also restricted as pro-Palestinian demonstrators gathered nearby, chanting “Free Palestine.” One protester waved at the man on the tower, who appeared to wave back and shout something inaudible.

Photographs showed the protester sitting on the ledge, his flag and a keffiyeh wrapped around the tower’s decorative stonework.

Emergency personnel made several attempts to reach him throughout the day. Around 10 a.m., a fire brigade aerial ladder platform lifted three responders towards the ledge, with one using a megaphone to communicate. However, the man remained in place when the platform was lowered at 11:45 a.m., prompting a second attempt later in the afternoon.

Authorities closed Bridge Street and Westminster Bridge to facilitate emergency operations, causing traffic disruptions. Several London bus routes, including the 3, 11, 148, C10, and 159, were diverted.

A parliamentary spokesperson confirmed that security measures were taken seriously and that tours of the parliamentary estate had been canceled due to the incident. The London Fire Brigade deployed crews from four different stations to assist in the response.