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A man accused of scaling the clock tower of Big Ben has denied causing a public nuisance and trespassing.

Daniel Day, 29, is accused of climbing and remaining on the Elizabeth Tower in Westminster, London, on the morning of 8 March while holding a Palestinian flag.

Mr Day, of Palmerston Road in Westcliff-on-Sea, Essex, pleaded not guilty at Westminster Magistrates’ Court to intentionally or recklessly causing a public nuisance and to trespassing on a protected site.

People in the public gallery called out “stay strong, Dan” and “we love you” as Mr 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 set for 14 April.