An Extinction Rebellion activist who scaled Big Ben’s tower and evaded capture for more than three hours has been released by police.

Ben Atkinson, 43, climbed the scaffolding surrounding the clock tower dressed as Boris Johnson – complete with a blond wig, shirt, jacket and tie – at about 3.30pm on Friday.

Atkinson, a tree surgeon from Rydal in Cumbria, avoided police who had ascended the structure via the builders’ lift by unclipping his harness and sitting on a girder.

He was eventually detained at approximately 6.45pm and, after being held in custody, was subsequently released under investigation.

Atkinson was arrested under section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 – trespass on a protected site – which carries a maximum sentence of 51 weeks’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine.