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St Paul's Cathedral 'may reopen' despite protest camp | St Paul's Cathedral 'may reopen' despite protest camp |
(about 3 hours later) | |
St Paul's Cathedral could reopen to the public on Friday, despite the protest camp outside the building. | St Paul's Cathedral could reopen to the public on Friday, despite the protest camp outside the building. |
The Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was optimistic about reopening after changes to the camp set up by the Occupy London Stock Exchange group. | The Dean of St Paul's, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, said he was optimistic about reopening after changes to the camp set up by the Occupy London Stock Exchange group. |
Demonstrators have vowed to remain at the site for several weeks. | Demonstrators have vowed to remain at the site for several weeks. |
The cathedral was closed last Friday over fears of "significant issues" with health and safety. | |
The Dean said: "A passageway allowing evacuation procedures to be improved has been created. | The Dean said: "A passageway allowing evacuation procedures to be improved has been created. |
"The kitchen providing food for those in the camp has been moved from close proximity to the building, bicycles chained to the railings have been shifted and a clear pathway restored. | "The kitchen providing food for those in the camp has been moved from close proximity to the building, bicycles chained to the railings have been shifted and a clear pathway restored. |
"We will revisit the risk assessment in the light of any overnight developments and, subject to us getting the green light, we hope to reopen in time for the 12:30 Eucharist on Friday." | "We will revisit the risk assessment in the light of any overnight developments and, subject to us getting the green light, we hope to reopen in time for the 12:30 Eucharist on Friday." |
'Minefield' | |
The cathedral claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day in donations since the camp was set up 11 days ago. | The cathedral claimed it has been losing £20,000 a day in donations since the camp was set up 11 days ago. |
The Occupy London Stock Exchange (OLSX) group is protesting against corporate greed and inequality. | The Occupy London Stock Exchange (OLSX) group is protesting against corporate greed and inequality. |
Earlier London's mayor joined the Bishop of London in calling for the demonstrators to move on. | Earlier London's mayor joined the Bishop of London in calling for the demonstrators to move on. |
Boris Johnson said: "With the greatest respect to their point of view, they have made it." | Boris Johnson said: "With the greatest respect to their point of view, they have made it." |
The Bishop of London said the demonstration had raised a number of very important questions but that the time had come for the protesters to leave. | The Bishop of London said the demonstration had raised a number of very important questions but that the time had come for the protesters to leave. |
But Tim Williams, from OLSX, said they had been working with the church authorities to move tents, reconfigure barriers and relocate the camp's kitchen to facilitate the reopening. | |
He said the organisers and officials were "all working together". | |
A decision as to whether the cathedral will reopen is expected on Thursday. | A decision as to whether the cathedral will reopen is expected on Thursday. |
On Friday, the City of London Corporation's planning committee is due to hear legal advice and decide whether to take court action against the demonstrators. | On Friday, the City of London Corporation's planning committee is due to hear legal advice and decide whether to take court action against the demonstrators. |
In response to this Mr Williams said: "It's a minefield on the basis of who owns the land. It's a minefield on the fact that we have rights. | |
"We have British rights to make comment and we have European rights to make comment. | |
"They're welcome to use their rights to try and stop us. We are quite clear where our situation is at." |