Man guilty of public nuisance after scaling Big Ben barefoot in pro-Palestine protest
Daniel Day caused disruption costing £67,000 with the 17-hour stunt
Last updated 7 hours ago
A pro-Palestine protester who climbed Big Ben barefoot and remained on the landmark for 17 hours has been found guilty of causing public nuisance.
Daniel Day, 30, triggered a significant emergency response and road closures when he ascended the Elizabeth Tower on 8th March last year, according to his trial at Southwark Crown Court.
Jurors reached their verdict after about 90 minutes of deliberation, convicting Day of intentionally or recklessly causing public nuisance with his actions, which reportedly cost taxpayers £67,000.
The disruption led to Bridge Street and Westminster Bridge closures, affecting traffic and pedestrian access in the area.
As safety measures, mattresses were placed at the tower's base due to Day's precarious position.
Transport for London estimated a £25,000 loss in bus fares due to rerouted services, while over 2,500 tourist visits to Parliament were cancelled.
Day, who livestreamed the protest on Instagram, was seen scaling the building with a Palestine flag, leading chants of "Free, Free Palestine."
In video clips presented in court, Day claimed police were attacking peaceful protesters and threatened to climb higher should officers come closer.
Despite removing his shoes and bleeding onto the stone, Day maintained he intended to harm no one.
Day, from Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, faces sentencing at Southwark Crown Court on 27th July.