A man has been detained by police after a witness said he “ran up to the Queen’s coffin” in Westminster Hall.

Witness Tracey Holland told Sky News: “Some person decided they were going to push my [seven-year-old niece] out the way, run up to the coffin, lift up the standard and try to do I don’t know what.

“She was grabbed out the way and the police had him within two seconds.

Mourners warned of cold temperatures overnight for lying in state queue – royal news latest updates
Watch live stream of the Queen lying in state

She added: “Terrible, absolutely terrible, so disrespectful and unbelievable – and this poor little seven-year-old child, this is her lasting memory of the Queen.”

The Metropolitan Police said: “Around 10pm on Friday 16 September, officers from the Met’s Parliamentary and Diplomatic Protection Command detained a man in Westminster Hall following a disturbance.

“He was arrested for an offence under the Public Order Act and is currently in custody.”

Prince Andrew seen in military uniform as Queen’s children hold vigil at lying in state

Queue to see Queen reopens amid warnings of long waits and plunging night time temperature

London to Windsor route revealed where thousands can see Queen’s coffin on day of funeral

Read more:
London to Windsor route revealed where you can see coffin on day of funeral
Edward and Sophie say death has left an ‘unimaginable void in all our lives’
Seven things to look out for as the Queen lies in state

A parliament spokesman said: “We’re aware of an incident in Westminster Hall, in which a member of the public moved out of the queue and towards the catafalque (raised platform).

“They have now been removed from the hall and the queue restarted with minimal disruption”.

Related posts:

‘His spirit lives on’: Military flypast among tributes at Captain Sir Tom Moore funeral Second World War bomb detonated after 2,600 people evacuated Sunshine brings crowds out – but SAGE expert warns we could blow chances of ending lockdown Prince William celebrates 39th birthday after being pictured at running event with George and Charlotte Manchester City make £100m bid for Tottenham striker Harry Kane Priti Patel defends giving France £54m to tackle migrant Channel crossings UK weather: ‘Plunge of cold Arctic air’ could sweep across nation next week How you can get tickets to the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Buckingham Palace concert Three-legged tortoise called Hope who gets around on wheels could help save species Men and trans women to compete in new ‘open’ category in British Triathlon events Boris Johnson will not intervene in cost of living crisis as that is ‘for future prime minister’ ‘Sinister’ Ryan Giggs ‘headbutted ex-girlfriend during litany of abuse’, court hears