Holyrood independence campaigners ignore eviction deadline

INDEPENDENCE campaigners who set up a camp close to the Scottish Parliament have continued to refuse to move from the site as they ignored today’s deadline to leave.

The activists - who previously vowed not to budge until Scotland becomes independent - were served a notice to leave by sheriff officers earlier this week. A document served to them said that a failure to vacate the site by 5pm today may result in court proceedings.

Scottish Parliament officials confirmed that they would now press ahead with legal action to remove the campaigners from the site.

A parliament spokesman said: “We note that the period given to the campers to remove has passed without them complying with our request. Accordingly, as we stated in our letter, we are raising court proceedings for recovery of possession and we have arrangements in hand.”

However, camp spokeswoman, Moira Williams, 46, from Polmont, said she and others living at the camp expected to remain on site for the foreseeable future and claimed that up to 25 people were visiting it every day to offer support.

She said: “We don’t feel as though we’ve done anything wrong and we don’t think they will be able to move us on legally so we expect to be here for a while to come yet.”