Brian Haw

IssueMay 2011
News by Alexandra Olano Salinas

Anti-war campaigner Brian Haw has lost his last appeal to keep his peace camp on the grass in Parliament Square, after the mayor of London was granted a possession order by the high court on 17 March.

The central green is controlled by the greater london authority (GLA), while the pavement surrounding the grass belongs to Westminster city council (WCC). Separate eviction proceedings brought by the WCC in relation to the pavement are due to come to trial before 9 May.

The 62-year-old peace protester, who has been encamped outside the houses of parliament since June 2001 did not attend the court as he is receiving medical treatment in Germany.

Haw’s plea was within the scope of articles 10 and 11 of the Human Rights Act which deals with freedom of expression, association and assembly. Other protesters (Peacestrike, Iran Green Movement, Fathers’ Rights) who were also camping on Parliament Square have also been affected by the court’s decision.

The encampment was moved on 19 April to the pavement where Haw was originally. Barbara Tucker, Haw’s co-protester was arrested for moving back to the grass after the expulsion.