Protestor defies snow – and MPs
By Alex Stevenson
As icy gusts blow snow across Parliament Square, long-time protestor Brian Haw is committed to continuing his demonstration – whatever the weather.
Standing resolute underneath his umbrella after one of the heaviest snowfalls London has seen in recent years, Mr Haw attacked the MPs staying away from the Commons today because of bad weather.
“While the world dies, a few of them in there are staying at home because it’s a bit uncomfortable,” he told a chilly politics.co.uk.
The blizzard may batter Mr Haw’s protest – the structural integrity of one of his tents appeared imperilled by the foot-deep snowfall – but a greater threat may come from inside the Palace.
Last week Harriet Harman faced calls from the Conservatives to take action to remove the anti-war protestors encamped outside parliament.
Shadow leader of the House Alan Duncan described the protestors as a “grotty eyesore” and called on parliamentary authorities to “restore some dignity to the appearance of this iconic seat of democracy”.
“Does the leader of the House not agree that the permanent encampment in Parliament Square has become a national embarrassment?” he asked.
“It is a total abuse of the legitimate right to protest.”
Ms Harman admitted the matter was one of “concern” and said it was being considered by the City of Westminster police, the mayor of London and the House authorities.
Mr Haw began his vigil in 200i in protest against UK foreign policy and has already seen off attempts to remove him from his spot across the road from the Palace of Westminster on Parliament Square.
In 2005 the government passed a law designed to remove Mr Haw, originally from Redditch in Worcestershire, but the high court ruled the Serious Organised Crime and Police (SOCP) Act 2005 could not be applied retrospectively against him.
“I know what they say – it’s libel, it’s slander, it’s unlawful,” Mr Haw said of hostile comments to his protest from inside the Commons.
“They’ve tried everything they can to get rid of us. they’re doing everything they can.
“We’ve been down this road. But we are campaigning against genocide, infanticide and torture.”
The Tories appear divided on how to approach the protestors, however.
Sir Patrick Cormack said in last Thursday’s debate that the “squalid encampment” should not be allowed to “permanently disfigure the centre of our great capital city”.
But Bernard Jenkin made the plea that “we treat the individual demonstrators with respect and that we respect their views, which are sincerely held”.
Mr Haw was voted the Most Inspiring Political Figure of 2007 by Channel 4. A replica of his peace camp has been installed in Tate Britain.
