Parliament Square protest camp faces wait - trespass proceedings issued by Mayor Boris Johnson

Published: 4 June 2010
by JAMIE WELHAM

PROTESTORS in Parliament Square are being made to wait to hear whether they will face eviction.

Dozens of peace protesters attended the first day of a High Court hearing yesterday (Thursday), brought about after the Mayor of London Boris Johnson began trespass proceedings against the group.

It is expected the outcome will not be known for at least two weeks – a situation protesters say will buy them more time to firm up their legal argument for staying put in the “democracy village”.

Mr Johnson has been supported by the leader of Westminster Council, Colin Barrow, in opposing the group, who he said were “hijacking” the square.

Protester Chris Knight said: “It took the judge about three hours to get through all our names. It’s going to go on for a while, which is good for us. We will be sleeping there tonight.”