A pro-Palestine protester who caused “serious disruption” by climbing Big Ben barefoot and sitting on the London landmark for 17 hours has been found guilty of public nuisance.
Daniel Day triggered an emergency services response and caused road closures when he scaled the Elizabeth Tower – often referred to as Big Ben – on March 8 last year, his trial at Southwark Crown Court heard.
Jurors deliberated for about 90 minutes on Thursday and found the unemployed 30-year-old guilty of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance with the stunt, which they were told cost taxpayers an estimated £67,000.
Day did not appear to react to the verdict.
Daniel Day holding a Palestinian flag during his protest (PA)PA Archive
A handful of supporters sat in the public gallery, while others gathered in front of the court building chanting “Free Palestine”.
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The three-day trial heard Day’s protest led to the closure of Bridge Street – the primary junction next to the Houses of Parliament – and Westminster Bridge, closing traffic and pedestrian access off the Embankment and shutting parts of Parliament Square at times.
Mattresses were put down at the base of the tower to try to protect the climber because he was in a “precarious position” at a height, the court also heard.
Transport for London (TfL) lost an estimated £25,000 in bus fares as diversions were put in place and routes curtailed, while at one point sympathetic protesters blocked a fire engine as onlookers with Palestine flags cheered, the trial previously heard.
Slightly more more than 2,500 visits, largely by tourists, to Parliament had to be cancelled.
Day climbed the landmark in bare feet (PA)PA Archive
CCTV previously played in court showed Day, wearing a black coat and a baseball cap, using his hands to scale the building while holding a Palestine flag.
Day livestreamed his protest on his Instagram account as he shouted: “Free, Free Palestine” to the crowds gathered in Parliament Square below.
In video clips shown to jurors, 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.”
The defendant shouted to those below: “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.”
The court heard that Day took his shoes off while scaling the building and his feet were bleeding onto the stone.
Day, of Palmerston Road, Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, will be sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on July 27.
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