Cameron 'will ban parliament demo'

By Ian Dunt

A Conservative government would remove the anti-war camp set up outside parliament, Tory leader David Cameron has confirmed.

Brian Haw has camped in Parliament Square for eight years now in protest at Britain's foreign policy. He has survived numerous legal attempts to remove him.

But the Tory leader said enough is enough.

"I am all in favour of free speech and the right to demonstrate and the right to protest," he told Sky News.

"But I think there are moments when our Parliament Square does look like a pretty poor place, with shanty town tents and the rest of it.

"I am all for demonstrations, but my argument is 'enough is enough'."

A government attempt to remove Mr Haw succeeded in forcing many of his fellow demonstrators to leave. However, Mr Haw remained after it became clear the legislation was not retrospective and so could not apply to people who had begun their protest before the law was passed.

A separate attempt by Westminster City council to remove him on the basis of it becoming an illegal campsite also failed.

Political news to your inbox

Fill in your details to receive Politics.co.uk's brand of informed, in-depth and independent coverage of Westminster to your inbox

Hot topics

Britain's great energy debate

How the power gets to Britain's homes in the next century remains a matter of deep controversy

As the next general election begins to loom over the horizon, the debate over Britain's future energy policy mix is starting to hot up - and nothing seems guaranteed.

The Heathrow third runway debate

Heathrow's third runway is just one of many options

There won't be a final decision on Britain's long-term aviation strategy until after the 2015 general election - but an aggressive national debate is already underway.

Opinion Former Events

MRSA Action UK Annual Memorial Event

Families will pay tribute and remember those lost to MRSA and healthcare associated infections at Westminster Abbey on Thursday 13th June 2013

BSIA: Information Destruction Exhibition & Conference 2013

Following the great success of the BSIA's Information Destruction Conference and Exhibition in May 2012, we are pleased to annouce that the event is returning again in June 2013. This one-day conference and exhibition is aimed at key decision makers in organisations that carry out the secure destruction of confidential material.