Occupy London protesters evicted – but say plans are afoot for response

ANTI-capitalist protesters have warned that they will not be “derailed” after their camp was cleared from outside St Paul’s Cathedral.

Occupy London pledged that it was “only the beginning” following the removal of the last protesters in the early hours of this morning after four and a half months camped outside the cathedral.

The group said plans were “already afoot” of “some ambition” in response to the eviction.

City of London police, who were supported by the Met, said 23 arrests were made during the “largely peaceful” eviction as bailiffs from City of London Corporation removed tents and equipment from outside St Paul’s.

The action was taken five days after Occupy London was refused permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge orders evicting protesters.

Stuart Fraser, policy chairman of the City of London Corporation, said: “It is regrettable that it had to come to the need for removal but the High Court judgment speaks for itself.

“The site has now been cleared and the area is undergoing a deep clean.”

Granting orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London at the High Court last month, Mr Justice Lindblom said that the proposed action by the City of London Corporation – which it pledged not to enforce, pending the appeal – was “entirely lawful and justified”, as well as necessary and proportionate.

The appeal judges, headed by Master of the Rolls Lord Neuberger, said the protesters had raised no arguable case.

The corporation called on campers to remove their tents voluntarily.

Although some remained on site when police arrived, many began dismantling the equipment before bailiffs moved in.

Gary Sherborne, 50, said: “We haven’t got any choice and I’d rather protect the tent for another day without it being destroyed by the bailiffs.”