Brian Haw Ruling Is A Victory For Democracy

10.30.30am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 2nd Aug 2005

News that the High Court has ruled that Redditch peace campaigner Brian Haw, should be allowed to stay in Parliament Square has been welcomed by West Midlands Euro-MP Liz Lynne.

A new law to be introduced, from August 1 was brought in to remove Mr Haw from Parliament Square. It states that anyone wanting to demonstrate in the area must have authorisation from the police "when the demonstration starts". However, he successfully argued that since his protest began 4 years ago the new law did not apply to him.

The Liberal Democrat MEP said:

"I welcome this decision by the High Court. It is alarming that any Government would consider banning people from demonstrating peacefully in front of Parliament. We all understand the concern over security especially in the light of recent events, but removing the right to protest is playing in to the terrorist's hands.

"I now hope the government will drop this particular piece of legislation. Brian Haw's demonstration is something the Country should be proud of. It is good that we live in a country where people can take their protest to the heart of government. If he was demonstrating in favour of the war in Iraq, I doubt this law would even have been thought of."

ENDS