Police have detained a man who poured what is thought to be petrol over himself outside the Houses of Parliament.
The man doused himself in a flammable liquid while holding a lighter shortly before 11am this morning, police have said.
He was sprayed with a fire extinguisher and has now been detained under the Mental Health Act.
London Fire and Ambulance Service also attended.
There was no ignition and he was not injured in the incident, but he has been taken to hospital.
Conservative MP Huw Merriman wrote on Twitter: "Man next to me at Parliament's carriage gates appears to have poured (what smells like) petrol on himself. Incredibly brave response from police, who are now helping him."
A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police said: "At 10.44am on Tuesday officers became aware of a man dousing himself with, what appeared to be, a flammable liquid at Old Carriage Gates, Westminster.
"The man, who had a lighter, was sprayed with a fire extinguisher. There was no ignition and the man was detained.
"London Fire Brigade (LFB) and London Ambulance Service (LAS) have attended the scene.
"LFB made the scene safe by dispersing the suspected flammable liquid. The man was assessed by LAS and taken to a central London hospital.
"He has been detained under the Mental Health Act. No reports of any injuries."
