A man has been arrested “following a disturbance” at Westminster Hall, where the Queen lies in state, following reports of someone climbing the steps of the hearse and touching the coffin.
The Metropolitan Police were said to have rushed to arrest the man just before 10pm on Friday evening, the second full day mourners have been able to pay their respects to the former monarch, just hours after that members of the royal family hold a vigil.
A source told the Guardian that the man got out of line by going through the hearse and managed to climb the steps and touch the coffin, before he was swiftly arrested, an account which was not denied by either the Met or the House of Commons. common
A statement from Scotland Yard said: “The Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command arrested a man at Westminster Hall following a disturbance.”
He added that the man was “arrested for an offense under the Public Order Act and is currently in custody”.
The disturbance is believed to have taken place shortly before 10pm, when many mourners had reportedly queued for more than 12 hours. Broadcasters showing the mourning procession cut the scene and instead showed the view from outside parliament.
A few hours earlier, the King, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward stood around the Queen’s coffin in what was known as the Princes’ Vigil. The Queen’s grandchildren are expected to hold a similar vigil on Saturday night.
It comes after a man appeared at Westminster Magistrates’ Court following allegations that two women were sexually assaulted while waiting in line to see the Queen lie in state.
A host of security measures have been planned in preparation for the state lie-in, given the increased risk of terrorist attacks due to the large crowds that have gathered in central London.