Man spends night on Houses of Parliament roof

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A man, believed to be a Warmist, spent last night on the roof of the Houses of Parliament.

Emergency crews descended on the Palace of Westminster at about 9.15pm on Saturday after the man was seen walking between the buttresses.

The 23-year-old was arrested around eight hours later on suspicion of criminal damage and trespassing and was taken to a central London police station where he remains in custody.

Specialist negotiators were dispatched to the scene last night - but police said there was no suspicion of a suicide attempt.

The man, who has not yet been identified, was said to be 'moving around' on part of the roof - but it is not clear how he got there.

Around 5,000 protesters gathered for a climate change demonstration outside Parliament on Saturday.

Video footage of the man, who was seen wearing a grey long sleeved top and dark trousers, has been posted online.


A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said there was no indication yet why the man was on the roof.

Two fire engines from Soho and one fire and rescue unit from Chelsea attended the incident, according to London Fire Service.

The man eventually came down at around 5am.

It is not the first time that Warmists have got onto the roof of the Palace of Westminster, with 20 of them scaling it for a demonstration in 2009.

In 2008, protesters clambered onto the roof to protest against plans for a third runway at Heathrow.

Security breach as 23-year-old spends EIGHT HOURS wandering around on the roof of the Houses of Parliament


Man sparked security alert after wandering on roof of Houses of Parliament

23-year-old arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and trespassing

Police and fire crews called at 9.15pm after man was spotted on the roof

Negotiators attended but there was no suspicion of a suicide attempt

A climate change demonstration took place nearby on Saturday

Do you know this man? Email jenny.awford@dailymail.co.uk or call 02036154835


By Jenny Awford and Julian Robinson for MailOnline
8 March 2015
Daily Mail

A 23-year-old man who sparked a security alert after wandering around on the roof of the Houses of Parliament for eight hours has been arrested.

Emergency crews descended on the Palace of Westminster at about 9.15pm on Saturday after the man, believed to be a climate change activist, was seen walking between the buttresses.

He was arrested around eight hours later on suspicion of criminal damage and trespassing and was taken to a central London police station where he remains in custody.

Specialist negotiators were dispatched to the scene last night - but police said there was no suspicion of a suicide attempt.


A 23-year-old man who sparked a security alert after wandering around on the roof of the Houses of Parliament for eight hours has been arrested


Police and fire fighters descended on the Palace of Westminster at about 9.15pm on Saturday after the alarm was raised



Watch video:http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=rcMtsYuV6g8


https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=5H1ZD0iThQQ


The man, who has not yet been identified, was said to be 'moving around' on part of the roof - but it is not clear how he got there.

Around 5,000 protesters gathered for a climate change demonstration outside Parliament on Saturday.

Video footage of the man, who was seen wearing a grey long sleeved top and dark trousers, has been posted online.

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said there was no indication yet why the man was on the roof.

She added: 'At 9.15pm officers were made aware of a man trespassing on the roof at the Palace of Westminster. London Fire Brigade and London Ambulance Service are in attendance.

'Officers are still trying to establish why he was on the roof. He appeared to be alone. Investigations are ongoing.'


The man, who has not been identified, was said to be 'moving around' on part of the roof - but it is not clear how he got there



Specialist negotiators were dispatched to the scene last night - but police said there was no suspicion of a suicide attempt



Eyewitnesses have seen emergency services on the roof of the Palace of Westminster tonight


Tourists are reportedly stopping to look up at the man, who appears to be in his 20s and wearing a grey jumper and dark trousers


The spokesman told MailOnline that negotiators were on the scene and attempting to communicate with the man.

He is not believed to have given a reason for why he scaled the building or how he got there.

Eyewitnesses say the man, who appears to be in his twenties with cropped dark hair, appeared calm with his hands in his pockets staring down at the swelling crowd of onlookers on the ground.

One witness told the Daily Telegraph: 'He's just walking up and down, looking a bit vacant.'

'Tourists are stopping to look. He doesn't have any flags or banners.'

Two fire engines from Soho and one fire and rescue unit from Chelsea attended the incident, according to London Fire Service.


A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed Met officers and the London Fire Brigade were on the scene to deal with the incident



Security alert: The man appears to be calm but has not expressed any motives for his actions



Flashback: In 2009, more than 20 Greenpeace activists managed to climb on to the roof of the Palace of Westminster



Police and fire fighters descended on the Palace of Westminster earlier this evening after the alarm was raised


A spokesman for the House of Commons said: 'The incident is currently being investigated by police.

We will wait and see the outcome of that before we proceed.'

The roof has been the scene of stunts by campaign groups in the past, including by protesters demonstrating against plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport in 2008.

A year later more than 20 Greenpeace activists climbed on to the roof of the Palace of Westminster in a protest over climate change.

It was reported at the time that protesters managed to slide ladders through the railings surrounding the building and then use them to climb on to one of the lower roofs.

The demonstrators also scaled the ramparts and a turret on top of Westminster Hall, unfurling yellow banners which read: 'Change the politics, save the climate.'

If you know the identity of the man arrested, please email jenny.awford@dailymail.co.uk or call 02036154835.
 
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