India, March 8 -- A tense situation unfolded in London when a man climbed the iconic Palace of Westminster, the UK parliament building while holding a Palestinian flag. Local media reported that he shouted, "Free Palestine."

Emergency services were called to the scene as the man perched several metres above the ground on the iconic Elizabeth Tower, home to Big Ben. He was seen standing barefoot on a ledge of the historic tower, Reuters reported.

Photos from the scene showed crowds of onlookers behind a police cordon, as nearby streets were closed for safety.

Soon after the incident was reported, people gathered in the street to support the protestor who climbed the side of the Elizabeth Tower, commonly known by the name of the clock's ...