High Court eviction threat to Brian Haw - Supporters to mount appeal, but council leader Colin Barrow backs plans to “end the blight of Parliament Square”.

Published: 18 March 2011
by JOSH LOEB

FRIENDS of Brian Haw living in Parliament Square have pledged to fight on after the High Court yesterday (Thursday) granted Mayor of London Boris Johnson permission to evict them from their camp.

The decision by Mr Justice Griffith Williams paves the way for bailiff action ahead of the Royal wedding on April 29.

Under the 1980 Highways Act, those who do not comply could be fined thousands of pounds. Mr Haw, who has lived in the square since 2001, is currently in hospital where he is receiving treatment for cancer. His friends, who are manning his tent in his absence, claim the authorities have seized on his ill health as an opportunity to remove them.

Barbara Tucker, of Brian Haw’s camp, warned that eviction threats were “intended to cause very considerable distress to Mr  Haw”. It is understood she plans to appeal against the High Court decision.

Last year the Democracy Village – a campsite set up by groups unaffiliated to Mr Haw – was established in the square. Supporters of Mr Haw have accused its residents of being “agents provocateurs”. 

In June Democracy Now protesters 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”.