Stopping big ben.

NEWS OF THE WORLD, Dec. 17, 1989

By MORVEN KINLAY

SPOON-BENDER Uri Geller claimed yesterday that HE stopped Big Ben.

The world’s best known clock outside the Houses of Parliament conked out for three hours at 11.07 am on Friday. Engineers blamed a mechanical fault.

But Uri, 42, says it was down to him, and he can PROVE it. At his Berkshire home, he explained: “I have signed a contract with an American games firm, and they wanted a gimmick. They-came up with the idea of me stopping Big Ben on New Year’s Eve, and faxed it over.”

On Friday, psychic wizard Uri decided on a practice try. He said:

“I have a temple where I meditate. I went in, turned towards London and concentrated.”

“I was in my study when my wife screamed that Big Ben had stopped and it was on the news.”

“I called the firm and told them. It blew their minds. I have the dated fax proving we had the idea before it happened.”