Protester scales London's Big Ben to unfurl climate banners

A climate protester apparently dressed as Boris Johnson has climbed the Big Ben clock tower in London and draped two Extinction Rebellion banners.

An Extinction Rebellion protester waves after scaling the scaffolding surrounding Big Ben at the Houses of Parliament, Westminster, London. Source: Press Association

An Extinction Rebellion protester has scaled scaffolding surrounding London's Big Ben and draped two banners from the structure.

Footage of the stunt circulated on social media showed the climber, who appeared to be dressed as Boris Johnson - complete with a blond wig, shirt, tie and jacket.

Extinction Rebellion protester Ben Atkinson prior to him climbing scaffolding surrounding Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben. Source: Press Association

A spokesman for the group said the climber was 43-year-old tree surgeon Ben Atkinson.

The spokesman said Atkinson was climbing the clock tower to "highlight government inaction on the climate and ecological emergency".

The protester draped two signs carrying the group's slogans.

It is the latest in a string of stunts staged by Extinction Rebellion on the second last day of their autumn uprising, despite the group being barred from protesting in London by police.