A pro-Palestinian activist who caused severe disruption by scaling the Elizabeth Tower, commonly referred to as Big Ben, barefoot and livestreaming his protest for 17 hours on March 8, 2025, has been handed a suspended prison sentence at Southwark Crown Court.
Daniel Day, 30, was sentenced by Judge Tony Baumgartner to a 14-month prison sentence suspended for two years.
The court heard that Day’s high-profile stunt triggered a massive emergency response and cost the taxpayer an estimated £92,000 in public expenditures and lost revenue.
Delivering his sentence at Southwark Crown Court, Judge Tony Baumgartner rebuffed Day’s actions as calculated lawbreaking, stating, “This was well-planned offending, and you knew precisely what you were doing.”
The judge emphasized that having strong principles does not give anyone a license to break the law, adding, “You, and people like you, must understand that, like everyone else, you are subject to the laws of this country. You and others like you do not get to decide which laws you will follow and which laws you will break. If that were to happen, the rule of law would break down.”
The incident originally unfolded on March 8, 2025. Day, who is unemployed and appeared in court wearing a black shirt and green tartan kilt while carrying a walking stick to accommodate failing eyesight, carried out meticulous prior research on the historic tower’s restoration. Donning thermal clothing, he bypassed railings at approximately 7:20 a.m. and began climbing the landmark barefoot. Reaching a ledge midway up the Elizabeth Tower, Day unfurled a Palestinian flag and remained perched there until around midnight.
Prosecutor details Day's actions at Big Ben
Prosecutor Jack Guise detailed during the proceedings how Day took off his shoes during the ordeal, causing his feet to bleed onto the ancient stonework, while using a camera to livestream his actions on Instagram and shouting slogans including “Free Palestine” to crowds gathering below.
In video footage played during his trial, Day claimed from the ledge, “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 down to officers and onlookers 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.”
As crowds gathered in Parliament Square and police assessed that Day was playing to an audience, authorities were forced to implement extensive security cordons. Officers shut down Bridge Street as the primary junction adjacent to the Houses of Parliament, along with Westminster Bridge, restricting pedestrian access to Parliament Square and setting up road blocks across Whitehall and Victoria Embankment. Emergency services placed mattresses at the base of the tower as a safety precaution, while dozens of Metropolitan Police officers, firefighters, and paramedics maintained a continuous presence alongside a deployed cherry picker.
The total estimated financial and operational toll reached £92,000. This included more than 2,500 canceled Parliament tours resulting in £67,000 in losses, an estimated £25,000 lost by Transport for London due to bus diversions and curtailed routes, and severe emergency strain that included supporters attempting to block a responding fire engine.
Day was found guilty at trial in June of intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and pleaded guilty to trespassing on a protected site at the Palace of Westminster and Portcullis House. While the judge noted during the hearing that Day showed little insight into his offending or real remorse, the court weighed favorable personal mitigation factors, including his failing eyesight and the fact that he had not re-offended since the incident.
Day must complete rehabilitation, subject to probation
As part of his suspended sentence, Day was ordered to complete up to 20 rehabilitation days and will be subjected to four months of electronic monitoring.
Court records revealed a prior history of protest-related infractions, including a conditional discharge in June 2024 for failing to remove a facial disguise and £200 in fines issued in November 2024 for blocking a road during a demonstration. Following his sentencing at Southwark Crown Court, Day was released from the dock and shared hugs with supporters in the well of the court.