Big Ben's famous clock appeared to be frozen in time yesterday after its hands became stuck.
The London landmark bewildered passers-by as it continued to read 6.25 for a number of hours on Monday (September 5) due to a currently undisclosed issue.
Commenting on the error last night, a House of Commons spokesman said: "We are aware that the clock dials are displaying the incorrect time. This is a temporary inaccuracy."
One confused observer walking through central London on Monday tweeted a photograph of the incorrect clock and said: "I'm a bridge away so it could just be my eyes but I'm pretty sure Big Ben's run out of battery.
"Looks like the clock stopped at half 6, or maybe half 5. That expensive renovation was worth it, then."
Others on social media suggested it was a bad sign for the beginning of Liz Truss's tenure as Prime Minister on Tuesday (September 6), with one user writing: "If that’s not an omen for the country nothing is!"
The restoration of the iconic clock tower is expected to be completed next month after five years of intensive restoration work.
The 177-year-old Queen Elizabeth tower had been covered in scaffolding since 2017 as craftsmen refurbished its stonework, re-glazed its four clock dials, and repainted the ironwork.
This was removed in May when the Victorian clock mechanism was reactivated, while its famous 'bongs' have been promised to return at the completion of the project in October.
Its hands have also been changed back to their original colour, after workers made the surprise discovery that the clock hands were originally painted Prussian blue, rather than black.
LEDs have also been installed behind the clock face to replace previous gas lighting, while a toilet has also been installed inside the tower.
The £89million refit of the Westminster landmark was originally expected to be finished in late 2021, but was delayed as the Covid-19 crisis held up work.
It is estimated to have been delivered £51million over budget
