Man Charged After 16-Hour Stand-off on Big Ben

Daniel Day faces charges following a security breach at the iconic London landmark.

On March 8, 2025, a 29-year-old man named Daniel Day was charged with causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site after he scaled the Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben, while holding a Palestine flag.

The incident began early Saturday morning and resulted in a protracted stand-off lasting over 16 hours before he was safely brought down by police just after midnight on Sunday.

Day, a resident of Palmerston Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, is accused of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and trespassing in an area that is significant for its security due to its proximity to the Houses of Parliament.

Following his arrest, he was remanded in custody and is scheduled to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

The incident prompted a significant emergency response, including the presence of police, fire, and ambulance crews, which led to road closures around Westminster Bridge and Bridge Street.

The police noted the necessity for these closures owing to safety concerns for both the individual and the public, as well as the integrity of the police operation.

Footage captured during the stand-off showed Day negotiating with police from his precarious position, during which he expressed that he would only descend on his own terms.

He claimed to be safe despite suffering an injury to his foot, and at one point, police negotiators indicated that there was notable blood and concerns about his clothing in the dropping temperatures of the evening.

Supporters of Day gathered at the police cordon, reportedly shouting phrases such as "Free Palestine" and "You are a hero," indicating a broader context to his actions.

Earlier, he had appeared to breach security by climbing over a fence around the Houses of Parliament without any immediate intervention from security personnel.

In response to the incident, Conservative MP Ben Obese-Jecty raised concerns on X about the evident security lapse, stating that daily, armed police patrol the parliamentary estate and demanding accountability for how Day managed to bypass security measures.

As a result of the incident, parliamentary tours for the day were cancelled, reflecting the disruption caused by the event.