'Spiderman' scales scaffolding near Big Ben with banner about lockdown, Black Lives Matter and Extinction Rebellion
An activist scaled the scaffolding near Big Ben this morning and unfurled banners protesting a range of topics, including Tier 3 coronavirus lockdowns.
The man waved at photographers as he sat on the scaffolding alongside the banners, which also mentioned Black Lives Matter.
The elderly protester was dressed in a baggy Spiderman costume and Extinction Rebellion vest.
A Parliament spokesman said they were conducting a security review. A spokesman said a trespasser entered the Parliamentary estate but did not get access to the Elizabeth Tower site.
After shouting the long-winded message of his banners for around two hours, the protester eventually folded up his banners and climbed down, just before 10am.
One banner read: "No Tier 3 lock-down for Gt N'n Pwrhse unless an xtra £2bn for whole region from Chester, Stoke, Derby, Nott'm, Boston, Skeg's to Scottish border. If not: Gt N'n rebellion. XR North + unions + BLM UK + LGTBQ + many more."
Another banner, which he was pictured attached to the scaffolding, said: "Black and all lives matter so unify peoples of the world, unite and put things right."
In social media footage, the activist could be seen waving and shouting hello to a baying crowd made up of tourists and watching police officers.
One member of the crowd shouted “thank you Spiderman” while another joked: "He's a menace."
An eyewitness told the Standard: "He was shouting messages from his banner for a bit then folded them neatly and climbed down to the waiting police officers.
"The gentleman was perfectly nice, he wasn't vile but he shouldn't have managed to get up there
"Since PC Keith Palmer's tragic murder you would think security would be better."
The man scaled the scaffolding the landmark at around 7.50am.
Metropolitan Police said officers were on the scene and dealing with the incident.
The force tweeted from Westminster: “At around 07:50hrs a man climbed up scaffolding surrounding the Elizabeth Tower #Westminster. Officers are on scene and dealing.”
A UK Parliament spokesperson said: “We are aware of a trespasser on the Parliamentary Estate which is being dealt with by the Metropolitan Police and the Parliamentary Security Department.”
“Parliament takes security extremely seriously. A review is underway, the outcomes of which will not be disclosed for security reasons“
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