Man arrested after 'dousing himself with petrol' outside parliament

Man carrying lighter and 'flammable liquid' tackled by police at Palace of Westminster gates

Police and paramedics take away a handcuffed man who doused himself in what is believed to have been petrol outside parliament (AP)

A man has been arrested after appearing to throw petrol over himself outside the gates of parliament.

Scotland Yard said officers sprayed the man with a fire extinguisher after they became aware of him “dousing himself with what appeared to be flammable liquid” near the Palace of Westminster at 10.45am on Tuesday.

The man had a lighter in his possession but “there was no ignition,” police said. Firefighters made the area safe by dispersing the suspected petrol.

Paramedics assessed the man before taking him to a central London hospital, where he was detained under the Mental Health Act.

Police do not believe the incident was related to Brexit protests taking place nearby, The Independent understands.

Conservative MP Huw Merriman, who was nearby when the incident unfolded, tweeted: “Man next to me at Parliament’s carriage gates appears to have poured (what smells like) petrol on himself. Incredibly brave response from police, who are now helping him.”

Another witness wrote: "Police have closed Carriage Gate and someone has been arrested. Rumour someone's thrown petrol, can smell it from the other side of the road, one person in red jacket being held by the police!"


 Police and firefighters outside the Old Carriage Gates 
 (PA)

Police said there were no reports of injuries and the area had since reopened.

The Carriage Gates are one of the main entrances to the Palace of Westminister. They open onto Parliament Square, where demonstrations often take place.

In 2017, a terrorist gained access to parliament through the gates and stabbed to death unarmed police constable Keith Palmer. The entrance was later fitted with bulkier metal gates after MPs raised concerns about security.