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'Democracy village' removed from Parliament Square | 'Democracy village' removed from Parliament Square |
(40 minutes later) | |
A protest camp in London's Parliament Square has been cleared by police. | A protest camp in London's Parliament Square has been cleared by police. |
Scotland Yard said officers began to remove tents and property from the green at 19:30 GMT. | Scotland Yard said officers began to remove tents and property from the green at 19:30 GMT. |
Campaigners set up the "Democracy Village" in May 2010, where they have protested against a variety of issues including the war in Afghanistan. | Campaigners set up the "Democracy Village" in May 2010, where they have protested against a variety of issues including the war in Afghanistan. |
The removal comes after the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill came into force, preventing encampments in the square. | The removal comes after the Police Reform and Social Responsibility Bill came into force, preventing encampments in the square. |
A police spokesman said there was no disruption as officers removed the camp. | |
City of Westminster Council Clean Streets teams were assisting officers in removing the protest camp, loading equipment into marked lorries. | |
'Will of the people' | |
Outgoing council leader Colin Barrow said: "For too long local people and tourists have been unable to fully enjoy the square. This is a tragedy and the sooner this historic site can be enjoyed by the public the better. | |
"Westminster Council is currently pursuing a by-law to ensure we can manage the area for everyone. | |
"The police action follows the clear will of the people, expressed through Parliament, to remove this encampment." | |
Campaigners - initially led by the late peace campaigner Brian Haw - have maintained a presence outside parliament for about a decade where they have displayed signs, banners and flags. | |
The group which set up camp on the green were evicted in July by the Greater London Authority following a High Court order but some protesters then pitched up to 30 tents on the pavement next to the lawn, which is owned by Westminster Council. | |
The Bill, which received Royal Assent in September, gives authorities more powers to tackle protests such as the Parliament Square camp. | |
It also bans protests in areas including Whitehall, Bridge Street, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and Westminster Abbey. | It also bans protests in areas including Whitehall, Bridge Street, the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre and Westminster Abbey. |