Pro-Palestine protester dodges jail after climbing Big Ben tower

A pro-Palestine protester who climbed the tower housing Big Ben and stayed on a high ledge for nearly 17 hours has dodged jail.

Daniel Day, 30, was handed a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, by Southwark Crown Court on Monday.

He was accused of causing "serious disruption" by scaling the Elizabeth Tower at the Palace of Westminster on 8 March last year.

His actions triggered a major response from emergency services and caused road closures around Westminster.

Day cost the taxpayer at least £92,000 as he refused to come down and livestreamed his protest on Instagram while chanting "Free Palestine", the court heard.

He was found guilty in June of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance. He also admitted trespassing on a protected site.

Day shared videos on Instagram during his 16-and-a-half-hour sit-in on the tower's ledge, suggesting in one clip that he planned to stay there for three-and-a-half days.

Judge Tony Baumgartner said: "This was well-planned offending and you knew precisely what you were doing.

"Foolishly you climbed a far way up the tower, far enough to cause very serious harm to you and possibly others if you fell."

The judge told Day he had "little insight into your offending or any real remorse", but noted that he had not offended since the Big Ben incident and had strong personal mitigation, including failing eyesight.

Day must attend up to 20 rehabilitation days and will be electronically monitored for four months as part of the suspended sentence.

"It's good to see people having strong principles, but it doesn't give a licence to break the law," the judge said.

The court heard Day, who is unemployed, climbed over railings and began his ascent of the tower at 7.20am, having carried out prior research on restoration of the building.

He wore thermals for the climb and brought a camera for livestreaming.

Prosecutor Jack Guise said Day unfurled a Palestinian flag after he reached a ledge midway up the tower and stayed there until about midnight.

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During the climb, the protester took his shoes off and his feet started to bleed on to the stonework.

Metropolitan Police officers had no option but to wait for him to agree to come down.

As news of the demonstration spread, pro-Palestine supporters started to gather in Parliament Square.

Mr Guise said police assessed that Day was "being encouraged by having a gallery to play to".

In footage played during the trial, Day said: "We're being violently attacked by police for peaceful protest.

"That's why I'm taking action at the so-called hub of democracy today."

He also shouted: "Listen, no police are to come anywhere near me. If you come too close, I'm going higher.

"I'm here peacefully, I'm here to harm nobody."

As part of the safety measures - and to take away Day's audience - officers shut Bridge Street and Westminster Bridge, cut off pedestrian access to Parliament Square, and set out cordons on Whitehall and Victoria Embankment.

Mattresses had to be placed at the base of the tower as a precaution, the court heard.

Transport for London (TfL) lost an estimated £25,000 in bus fares as diversions were put in place and Mr Guise said dozens of officers from across London had to be redeployed to the incident.

The cancellation of more than 2,500 tours of Parliament cost another £67,000.

Day of Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, received a conditional discharge in June 2024 for failing to remove a facial disguise, and was ordered to pay £200 in fines in November 2024 for blocking a road during a protest.

He hugged supporters in the well of the court after being released from the dock with a suspended prison sentence.

(c) Sky News 2026: Pro-Palestine protester dodges jail after climbing Big Ben tower