Early-morning Iran embassy climber arrested

A man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and trespass after allegedly scaling the Iranian embassy building in South Kensington.

Firefighters were called just before 6am this morning following  reports of a man climbing the building in Prince’s Gate.

Two fire engines, one fire rescue unit and a 32-metre turntable ladder were in attendance from Kensington, Chelsea and Soho fire stations. Crews supported the Met, who were on scene.

The brigade’s 32m ladder was used by police to carry out negotiations with the person climbing the building, and later firefighters were able to use it to safely bring the him to ground level.

The incident was over for the brigade by around 8.50am.

A Met spokesman said:  “At approximately 5.55am on Thursday, March 20, a man caused criminal damage after he scaled the outside of an embassy building in Princes Gate, SW7.

“He was subsequently brought down by police and the London Fire Brigade and was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage and trespass.”

Earlier this month’ women dressed in red-cloaked Handmaid’s Tale outfits marked International Women’s Day by marching to the embassy from Parliament Square.

The women carried placards protesting against what they said was the suppression of women’s rights in Iran.

Pictured top: The Iranian embassy at Prince’s Gate (Picture: Google Street View)