Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Bid to evict parliament protesters back in court

Cathy Gordon,Press Association
Sunday 13 June 2010 04:16 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A bid by the Mayor of London to evict peace protesters from Parliament Square returns to court tomorrow.

The dispute between Boris Johnson and residents of "Democracy Village" will be fought out at the High Court.

At a hearing in London last week Mr Justice Maddison ruled that the respective arguments merited being aired at a full trial - with a date set for today.

Protesters argue that Mr Johnson does not have the power to bring a claim for possession against them - claiming that the only person with such a right is the Queen.

But Mr Johnson says he does have the right in law to bring the trespass action.

When adjourning the case to today, Mr Justice Maddison said that although his provisional view was that the argument was one on which the mayor was "likely ultimately to succeed", there was room for "lively and legitimate argument as to whether or not he does have title to bring these proceedings".

Another judge, Mr Justice Griffith Williams, will have the task of deciding whether Mr Johnson has the right to bring the action following detailed argument on the law by both sides.

The court has been told the aim of the legal bid was to dismantle or remove any tents or structures on the square and seek to stop unauthorised demonstrations.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in