Man spotted climbing up Palace of Westminster holding Palestinian flag

Police have shut down Westminster Bridge.

Footage began circulating on social media early Saturday morning which appeared to show a barefoot individual sitting on a ledge halfway up the monument.

BREAKING: A man has climbed the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster in London. https://t.co/PAiZ4D1jU3

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— Sky News (@SkyNews) March 8, 2025

Witnesses at the scene described him waving a Palestinian flag and shouting 'Free Palestine' to passers-by below.

Emergency services were called to the Palace of Westminster at around 7:24am this morning and Bridge Street, which is at the north end of Westminster Bridge, was closed off.

A Met Police spokesperson said: "At 7.24am on Saturday March 8 officers were alerted to a man climbing up the Elizabeth Tower at the Houses of Parliament.

"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."

A video posted to X showed a cherry picker raised to the same height as the man's position on the tower.

Three people standing on the crane appeared to be engaging with the man.