Palace of Westminster with Big Ben at night. Image: LondonMMNews

A 23 year old man from Northampton who caused a security alert overnight by pacing the roof of the Palace of Westminster has been charged with criminal damage and trespass on a protected site.

Braydon Liam Anderson from Portland Place, Northampton caught the attention of television broadcasters who filmed him on the roof through the night.

The incident meant Met Police, London Ambulance Service and London Fire Brigade units remained on standby until he decided to come down to street level at 5 am.

One of the Met Police helicopters and river boats provided support for the operation.

The man is alleged to have climbed unauthorised onto the roof of the House of Commons and walked on it for several hours overnight. Image: LondonMMNews

The stand-off began at around 9.15 pm on Saturday night and lasted around 8 hours.

Anderson will appear in custody at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Monday morning 9th March.