WATCH: Extinction Rebellion protestor scales Big Ben in major Westminster security breach
2 min read
Westminster ground to a halt on Friday after a protestor dressed as Boris Johnon scaled Big Ben.
An Extinction Rebellion activist dressed as the Prime Minister unfurled a banner after evading Parliament security and climbing up scaffolding outside the Elizabeth Tower.
The eco group, who have been protesting Westminter for almost a week, said the man was a 43-year-old tree surgeon.
In a statement, they said: "Tree surgeon Ben Atkinson has begun a free solo climb of Big Ben and will drop an Extinction Rebellion banner to highlight Government inaction on the Climate and Ecological Emergency."
Dressed in green trousers and a blonde wig, the protestor attached a banner to the iconic landmarkm calling for a "citizen's assembly", while another rainbow banner read: "No pride in a dead planet".
Police have been forced to clear the streets outside Westminster underground station in response to the stunt, which will raise fresh fears about Parliament's security arrangements.
Almost simultaneously, police were forced to carry out a controlled explosion using a bomb disposal robot after a suspect package was discovered outside the Treasury.
In a tweet, the City of Westminster police said: "Police have removed a suspicious package from Whitehall. Specialist officers attended and made the package safe after they were informed at 15:01hrs."
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