A pro-Palestine activist has been spared jail after climbing Big Ben, an act that resulted in a 17-hour stand-off with police and an estimated £92,000 in public costs. Daniel Day, 30, scaled the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known as Big Ben, on March 8 of last year, triggering a significant police response and causing road closures around Westminster.
During the protest, Day livestreamed his actions on Instagram and chanted "Free Palestine." He refused to descend for approximately 17 hours. On Monday, Southwark Crown Court sentenced him to a 14-month prison sentence, suspended for two years. Judge Tony Baumgartner described the act as "well-planned offending" and noted that Day understood his actions. The judge also stated that Day displayed "little insight into your offending or any real remorse," but acknowledged his failing eyesight as a mitigating factor. Since the Big Ben incident, Day has not committed further offenses.
Day was ordered to attend up to 20 rehabilitation days and will be electronically monitored for four months. The judge emphasized that while strong principles are commendable, they do not grant a license to break the law, stating that individuals must adhere to the country's laws.
Day was found guilty of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and pleaded guilty to trespassing on a protected site. The court heard that he researched the tower's restoration before the climb, wore thermals, and brought a camera to livestream. Upon reaching a ledge midway up the tower, he unfurled a Palestinian flag.
During the protest, police closed Bridge Street, Westminster Bridge, and set up cordons on Whitehall and Victoria Embankment to manage traffic and reduce the activist's audience. Transport for London (TfL) estimated a loss of £25,000 in bus fares due to diversions and curtailed routes. Additionally, more than 2,500 Parliament tours were canceled, costing an estimated £67,000. Dozens of police officers, a cherry picker, firefighters, and paramedics were present throughout the 17-hour incident.
Day has previous convictions for failing to remove a facial disguise and blocking a road during a protest, for which he received fines and a conditional discharge. Following his sentencing, he hugged supporters outside the court.