Shard stunt had ‘philanthropic’ purpose insists daredevil free climber
The free climber who scaled The Shard has apologised for any disruption he caused, but insisted the feat had a “philanthropic” purpose.
George King, 19, appeared on Good Morning Britain after climbing the 310-metre building on Monday and admitted he was lucky not to have been arrested.
He told the programme: “Of course I take full responsibility. I do apologise if I disrupted anyone’s commute time. However I would hope people see the philanthropic purpose of it.
“To inspire people to chase their dreams. Not necessarily to climb The Shard, but to do something unique. That doesn’t have to be climbing without a rope, to find something unique if it’s music, art, craft, whatever it is, to pursue it with excellence and to have a dream.”
Mr King was spoken to by Metropolitan Police officers but not arrested and admitted that he is lucky not to be facing criminal charges.
In 2012 the owners of the building secured an injunction to stop Alain Robert, known as the French Spiderman, climbing the tower.
When he later climbed Heron Tower, he was arrested by City of London police on suspicion of causing public nuisance, given a suspended prison sentence and ordered to pay £5,500 in compensation.
Mr King, who is from Oxford, said: “I got very lucky, but I think it’s more the fact that I took precautions to reduce the cause and effect. I did it at five o’clock in the morning when it was less busy, and also the fact that I did it in 45 minutes.”
Describing his interaction with police, he said: “They were brilliant. I think they were just more shocked than anything. It’s just not a normal Monday morning for anyone.”
The teenager told the programme his mother found out what he had done while listening to the news on the radio.
Asked what his plans are next, Mr King said: “I’m going to sit back, have a cup of tea, chill for a bit.”