Culture

 

British Queen celebrates

The High Court has lifted an injunction preventing the removal of the last anti-war protest tent near the Houses of Parliament.

Judges said that it would be "lifted immediately", leaving Westminster Council free to clear Parliament Square of the tent as soon as it is ready.

The injunction had been in place while veteran peace campaigner Maria Gallastegui challenged the legality of new byelaws giving the local authority power to remove tents and sleeping equipment from the road and pavement around the square.

Last week, High Court judge Sir John Thomas, president of the Queen's Bench Division, and Mr Justice Silber ruled the byelaws lawful.

Ms Gallastegui returned to court to ask for permission to appeal to the Court of Appeal on the basis that her case raised issues of general public importance and it was arguable that the High Court had got the law wrong.

 

Refusing permission, Sir John said: "Our view is clear - there is no merit in any of the points that have been made."

The court also refused Ms Gallastegui's request that the injunction allowing her tent to remain in the square should be maintained while she asked the appeal court itself to consider her case.

The judge said the court "had not the slightest doubt" that the injunction should be lifted immediately.

The Press Association