Big Ben fails to strike as clocks stop at Houses of Parliament

Time appeared to stand still at the Houses of Parliament on Wedneday when Big Ben bell failed to chime due to a mechanical glitch.

The four dials of the Great Clock - one on each side of the 96-metre-tall Elizabeth Tower which houses Big Ben and four other bells - stopped moving at 12.55pm, leaving the bells silent at 1pm.

The clock hands were moved forward half an hour later, but the clock was still running around five minutes late according to witnesses.

By 1.47pm, the hands had been moved forward again, and the clock was displaying the correct time.

A House of Commons spokesperson said: “We are aware that the clock dials on the Elizabeth Tower were temporarily displaying the incorrect time on Wednesday afternoon.

“Clock mechanics worked quickly to rectify the issue and the clock is now functioning as normal.”

The 13-tonne Big Ben bell was largely silenced for five years while a major restoration of the Elizabeth Tower took place, with the so-called ‘bongs’ finally resuming regular service in November 2022.

The renovation period marked the longest period of silence in the landmark’s 165-year history.