Seth Kneller, 43, from Crewe, appeared at Westminster Magistrates' Court today in relation to the indecent child images charge, Scotland Yard has said.

After the hearing, a court official said Kneller was remanded in custody ahead of his next hearing at Southwark Crown Court on 23 June.

Kneller was detained by armed officers on Thursday at the scene of the collision on Whitehall on suspicion of criminal damage and dangerous driving.

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He has since been released under investigation but was charged with the unrelated matter of making indecent images of children.

The silver Kia car he was driving crashed into the gates at around 4.20pm on Thursday.

There were no reports of any injuries and the incident, which continues to be investigated by police, is not being treated as terror-related.

Witnesses at the time described an "almighty smash" and armed officers confronting the lone motorist, who was put on the ground and handcuffed.

The prime minister was in Downing Street at the time of the crash.

But Rishi Sunak, who had been due to leave No 10 anyway, departed after the incident.

Video footage showed the vehicle crossing Whitehall, apparently from the direction of a Ministry of Defence car park opposite, but then appearing to slow down as it approached the fortified entrance to the street.