Police continue to question man over ‘deliberate’ Downing Street gates crash

DETECTIVES were today continuing to question a man on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving after a driving into the Downing Street gates.

Whitehall was plunged in lockdown and the incident at about 4.20pm yesterday caused panic among tourists.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was working at No 10 when a male driver slowly veered off the road and rammed the gates in an apparently deliberate manoeuvre. Images on social media showed the Kia car surrounded by emergency vehicles. The suspect, a white, middle-aged man, was arrested.

Met Police said no-one had been hurt and said inquiries were continuing today. It is understood that counterterrorism detectives are not involved.

Witness Simon Parry, 44, said he heard a “bang” and saw police pointing Taser guns at a suspect who was wrestled to the ground by firearms officers. “I heard a bang and saw police with Taser guns shouting at a man,” he said.

Footage of the incident broadcast by the BBC appears to show the car slowing down before it hits the gate. The incident came as many civil servants were leaving work. A police cordon was initially put in place in the Whitehall area, before a tow truck was later seen removing the vehicle from the area.