Scottish independence protesters ordered to close Holyrood camp
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Version 0 of 2. A group of hardline independence activists have been told by a judge they must abandon a protest camp in the grounds of the Scottish parliament. Holyrood officials said they would open talks with organisers of the IndyCamp, a collection of caravans, tents and vehicles camped on parkland next to the parliament, about leaving voluntarily. Related: Scottish independence campaigners to fight eviction order During lengthy and at times chaotic legal hearings, the protesters had variously insisted that Jesus was living in the camp after his second coming, that they had legal claims under human rights law to stay there, and that their vigil was linked to the fate of the Stone of Destiny, on which Scottish monarchs were crowned. In a short and at times scathing court of session judgment, Lord Turnbull said the parliament was right to seek the removal of the camp, which has sat close to Arthur’s Seat and the walls of Holyrood palace, the Queen’s official residence in Scotland, since November 2015. The campers had taken “a rather selfish or even arrogant approach” to the entire case, he said, by arguing their rights trumped those of the parliament and other members of the public, who had been denied access to the grounds and a small copse taken over by the protest. The protesters had held a barbecue on the grounds, damaged the lawns by putting down walkways, lighting camp fires, and by driving and parking vehicles there – ignoring the large car park directly opposite, and dumping ash at the site. Parliament staff said they were worried that children had been camping there overnight without any toilets, electricity or running water. Turnbull said one camper, Garry Mitchell, made a spirited and sincere address on the importance of the rights of freedom of speech and freedom of assembly in a democratic society. “He also made various observations about the inappropriate imbalance of power which he saw as contributing to the action being brought and the circumstances which the respondents find themselves in.” But the judge ruled that the parliament’s legal rights were far clearer and substantive. The parliament routinely allowed protests, demonstrations and vigils in its grounds: it objected to a permanent camp for justifiable legal, practical and safety reasons. Turnbull said some of the protesters used arguments that had nothing to do with independence. The evidence showed the campers had continued to interfere with the rights of others to use the grounds openly. “They have caused damage to the grounds themselves in a variety of different ways, their presence is incompatible with the nature of the parliament’s grounds, which are unsuitable for use as a campsite and they have acted as a magnet, or a precedent, for other impermissible use of the grounds.” In a statement email to MSPs, the parliament’s chief executive, Sir Paul Grice, said: “We will now seek discussions with the protesters in early course to agree plans for a peaceful removal of the camp from parliament property. “[I] am hopeful the protesters will now respect the decision of the court and co-operate fully with the parliamentary authorities to ensure the land is returned to public use in a planned and orderly way.” |