Brian Haw faces eviction from Parliament Square gardens - High Court appeal bid rejected for veteran anti-war campaigner

Friday April 15, 2011
By JOSH LOEB

BRIAN Haw faces being evicted from a small area of the grass in Parliament Square following an unsuccessful bid to get an appeal heard in the High Court by his friend Barbara Tucker.

Mr Haw, who is currently being treated for cancer in Germany, has maintained a “Peace Camp” in the square outside the Houses of Parliament since 2001.

Mrs Tucker was in court this morning (Friday) seeking permission to appeal against a court order granting the Mayor of London the right to take possession of the grass where Mr Haw's tent is pitched.

The pavement parts of the camp site will not be affected.

Mrs Tucker told the court she was considering defying the order and would risk being arrested.

Addressing Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger and Lady Justice Smith, she said: “This is a cover up. It's all going to come back to haunt you.”

In June protesters in a separate camp in Parliament Square were evicted from the grass area and moved to the surrounding pavement, where Westminster City Council says they are obstructing the route for pedestrians. Railings have been used to block access to the square ever since.

Westminster Council leader Colin Barrow had earlier said he supported plans to “end the blight of Parliament Square”.