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The naked man who mounted a statue in Whitehall has been coaxed down by police - nearly three hours after he climbed up.

The man, who has still not been named, came down voluntarily at about 14.45 - although not before he had snapped off a part of the statue and waved it at onlookers, according to officers on the scene.

Police said he was clothed when he mounted the statue of the 2nd Duke of Cambridge Prince George outside the Ministry of Defence at midday today.

Whitehall has now reopened, after it was sealed off as officers attempted to talk the man down.

Police said there were no security concerns apart from concerns about the man’s safety, although the reason for his action remains unclear.

A Met spokesman said : "We were called just after midday to reports of a man who had climbed a statue in Whitehall.

"Officers are on the scene and trying to talk to him to bring the incident to a successful and peaceful conclusion."

Police had cordoned off a section of around 100 metres of Whitehall, near Trafalgar Square.

Several police cars and ambulances were on the scene.

Crowds of onlookers had gathered at either end of the cordon.

He could be seen waving his arms, apparently speaking to emergency services on the ground, and did not seem to be holding anything.

The man has been taken into police custody.