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PALACE 'ATTACKER'
Buckingham Palace suspect revealed as dog breeder David Huber, 59, who shared message to the late Queen
A MAN who triggered a major security alert outside Buckingham Palace is a dog breeder who shared a tribute to the Queen after her death, we can reveal.
David Huber, 59, was seized by armed cops after allegedly chucking shotgun cartridges into the grounds of the Royal residence.
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He asked to speak to a soldier before warning police to handle his rucksack carefully, according to Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Ade Adelekan.
He said the man initially asked police officers if he could speak to a soldier.
When the officers said that was not possible, the man allegedly began throwing the ammunition, Mr Adelekan said.
As serious security questions were raised we can reveal the King left the palace just minutes earlier.
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Huber is believed to have travelled to London from his home in Cumbria ahead of the coronation.
Images obtained by The Sun showed the scene moments after he was cuffed and walked backwards by cops to a waiting police van.
His rucksack was laid on the floor and the contents removed.
Inside was a copy of The Happiness Advantage by US author Shawn Achor - about using positive psychology at work to "enhance individual achievement".
Most read in The Sun
Huber - who was arrested at around 7pm - breeds Hungarian Vizslas at his remote countryside cottage overlooking the fells.
On the day the Queen died he posted on Facebook: "It’s a massive loss to all."
And a month later he posted a meme, writing: "They said I changed a lot. I said a lot changed me."
He took skiing holidays and is said to be single.
Chaos unravelled on Tuesday around 7pm outside Buckingham Palace's gates after he reportedly threw a "number of items" out of a bag.
Witnesses then heard him shout "I'm going to kill the King", before he was dragged away.
[The Queen's death] is a massive loss to us all
David Huber
Huber was arrested on suspicion of possessing an offensive weapon after he was searched and a knife was found.
Witnesses reported seeing him throw a "number of items" into the grounds before police dragged him away.
Officers then carried out a controlled explosion near to the Palace gates, which was heard by royal fans setting up camp along The Mall ahead of the weekend.
One witness told The Sun: “He’s been here the last few nights shouting, ‘I’m going to kill the King!’
"As soon as he placed the bag on the ground the police jumped on him. They were shouting at him, ‘Get down on the floor!’
“How on Earth was he allowed to get so close to the Palace with the coronation almost upon us?”
A neighbour of the suspect said: “I would see him walking his dogs and wouldn’t have a bad word to say about him.
"If he’s gone there with intent, that’s really shocking.”
Footage captured by Australia's Channel 7 News showed four officers detaining a man, dressed in an olive green gilet and checked shirt, outside the gates to the palace near a security hut where armed officers are stationed.
Mr Adelekan said the suspect was detained within seconds and arrested within five minutes.
He said he had no knowledge of reports that the man had been shouting that he wanted to kill the King before he was arrested.
The suspect has undergone a mental health assessment and has been deemed fit to be interviewed.
Scotland Yard say they are not treating the incident as terror-related.
Neither the King nor the Queen Consort were at Buckingham Palace at the time of the incident, but Charles did host Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese during an audience there earlier on Tuesday.
The items thrown into the palace grounds "have been recovered and will be taken for specialist examination", the Met Police said.
Chief Superintendent Joseph McDonald said: "Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into police custody.
"There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries to officers or members of the public."
Security for the historical event has been estimated to cost around £150million.
The operation will see thousands of officers deployed along with protection squads, air support and roof-top snipers.
Drones will also be used to monitor the crowds.
A Met spokesman said: "Officers quickly detained the man at around 19:00hrs after he approached the gates and threw a number of items suspected to be shotgun cartridges into the Palace grounds.
"These have been recovered and will be taken for specialist examination. The man has been arrested on suspicion of possession of an offensive weapon.
"Cordons are in place after the man was also found to be in possession of a suspicious bag. Specialists attended and following an assessment a controlled explosion was conducted as a precaution."
Chief Supt Joseph McDonald said: ";Officers worked immediately to detain the man and he has been taken into custody. There have been no reports of any shots fired, or any injuries. Enquiries are ongoing."
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A full coronation rehearsal went ahead as planned last night.
It was understood the police were treating the matter as an isolated mental health incident.
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