Buckingham Palace: 'Gun Drama' At Gates

A Queen's Guard stopped a man who tried to force his way into Buckingham Palace on Friday evening, say reports.

The ceremonial soldier ran 50 yards and pointed his bayonet-fixed rifle at the "ranting" suspect, the Sun On Sunday said.

The man had screamed at police for five minutes and walked towards the gates as the "gun drama" took place, it is claimed.

An unnamed tourist quoted by the newspaper said: "He was trying to get closer or inside."

A spokesman for the Metropolitan Police confirmed a disturbance took place at the Palace's North Centre Gate at around 5.50pm.

He said: "Officers from Royalty Protection spoke to a male and he was given words of advice. There were no arrests."

An Army spokesman said: "We are aware of an incident outside Buckingham Palace on Friday and while no one came to any harm and there were no arrests, we are very clear that the Metropolitan Police lead on Royal Security arrangements including outside the Palace itself."

Buckingham Palace declined to comment on the incident.

In October last year, David Belmar, 44, staged a stunt in which he jumped a vehicle barrier at the same Buckingham Palace entrance armed with a knife.

He was rugby tackled to the ground by armed police officers.

Belmar, who said the incident was part of a protest against his Incapacity Benefit being stopped, was jailed for 16 months.