Big Ben scaffold climb attempt

A MAN has been arrested after trying to climb the scaffold around Big Ben.

The intruder jumped over railings from Parliament Square late yesterday morning. He made it as far as the roof of the Palace of Westminster, before being held for trespassing on a designated site.

Police are not treating the incident as terror-related and no weapons were found. A police spokesman said: ‘Officers were called at 11.32am. When officers located the man, he climbed the scaffolding to the roof. He was arrested at 12pm.’

The Elizabeth Tower – which houses the Big Ben bell – is currently undergoing a four-year refurbishment.