A man accused of scaling the clock tower of Big Ben has denied causing a public nuisance and trespassing.
Daniel Day is accused of climbing and remaining on the Elizabeth Tower in Westminster, London, on the morning of March 8 while holding a Palestinian flag.
Day, of Palmerston Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, pleaded not guilty to intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and to trespassing on a protected site at a hearing at Westminster Magistrates' Court.
The 29-year-old, wearing yellow-and-blue trousers and a black T-shirt, spoke to confirm his identity and enter his pleas during the hearing which lasted around 15 minutes.
People in the public gallery called out “stay strong, Dan” and “we love you” as Day left the dock at the end of the hearing.
Around a dozen pro-Palestine demonstrators protested outside the court on Monday, waving Palestinian flags and beating a drum that could be heard within the building.
The defendant was remanded in custody ahead of a further hearing at Southwark Crown Court on April 14.
