The 40-year-old, arrested on suspicion of attempted murder, is to be brought to hospital

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

A man arrested by officers who fired shots after a car was driven at police outside the Ukrainian embassy in London has been sectioned under the Mental Health Act.

The 40-year-old had been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder of officers after the ambassador’s car was “deliberately rammed” on Saturday.

Scotland Yard said on Sunday that he would be taken to hospital for treatment after the incident in Holland Park.

Ch Supt Andy Walker said the firing of a police firearm would be investigated.

The Metropolitan police said armed officers were dispatched “as part of the protective security arrangements for London”.

Officers said they were called at about 9.50am to reports of antisocial behaviour involving a car. When they arrived, the silver Mercedes was said to have been driven at police officers and collided with a number of parked vehicles near the Ukrainian embassy.

Witness Darcy Mercier described the “really strange” event to the BBC. He said the car was “blasting Ukrainian music in some kind of protest against the embassy” after arriving at about 7am.

Footage showed armed police surround the car before smashing the driver’s window and using a Taser on the screaming suspect.

The Ukrainian embassy said that ambassador Natalia Galibarenko’s official vehicle had been deliberately rammed. No staff were injured.

The Met said the Directorate of Professional Standards had been informed. The investigation continues.