Parliament Square protesters lose 'Democracy Village' appeal, and face eviction

A group of peace protesters who have set up camp in London's Parliament Square Gardens have lost their Court of Appeal battle against eviction.

Known as Democracy Village, the group of demonstrators have been living in the shadow of parliament since the beginning of May. They will now have to pack up and leave the historic site.

The protesters were meant to leave a fortnight ago after Mayor Boris Johnson sought orders to have them removed, but they stayed put pending the appeal.

Counsel Jan Luba QC argued that the mayor had no right to evict the demonstrators as he didn't own the land, which belongs to the Queen and had failed to prove any legal title to it. He also said that the eviction would be contrary to the rights of free speech.

But the mayor's QC, Ashley Underwood argued that the gardens are also an open space that the public had a right to use.

In his ruling, Lord Neuberger said that the Greater London Authority Act 1999 showed that while bare title to Parliament Square Gardens was vested in the Crown, the mayor was given the power to do everything in relation to the land.

The ruling is seen as victory for locals who have been unable to access the site. Colin Barrow, leader of Westminster City Council, said: "This decision will mean that ordinary Londoners and visitors can once again use the square."

Long term protester Brain Haw, who has lived in the square since 2001 has issued a statement on his website saying that the ruling will not affect him as he has no connection with the Democracy Village.

The Democracy Village has turned Parliament Square into a dustbowl which will cost thousands of pounds in public money and weeks to fix, experts warned today.