Emergency services were called to London’s Palace of Westminster on Saturday after a man carrying a Palestinian flag scaled the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as “Big Ben.”

A man who climbed Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower in London on March 8 in an apparent protest was arrested 16 hours later following negotiations with officials.

Traffic around the Palace of Westminster in London came to a standstill for much the day as emergency crews tried to reach the man.

Emergency services responded to the Palace of Westminster in London after a man holding a Palestinian flag climbed up Big Ben tower.

A man who climbed up Big Ben's Elizabeth Tower carrying a Palestinian flag has been brought down after more than 16 hours. The barefoot man had made his way on to a ledge several metres up the tower at the Palace of Westminster on Saturday morning. He had been heard telling negotiators he would come down on his "own terms".

A man has been charged after climbing up the tower of Big Ben, the Metropolitan Police has said. Daniel Day, 29, of Palmerston Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, faces charges of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and trespassing on a protected site. He will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court later today.

A man holding a Palestinian flag was seen climbing the Elizabeth Tower, which houses Big Ben, in London on Saturday (today). A fire engine raised a cherry picker to the same height as the man to allow negotiators to persuade him to come down.