Protesters Urged To Move From St Paul's

The City of London Corporation is to hand a letter warning High Court action will be taken against 'Occupy' movement protesters unless the campsite is cleared within 48 hours.

Protesters have been camped at the site for over two weeks, and the effort to have them forcefully removed has led to the resignation of two high profile clergymen.

A statement from the Occupy the London Stock Exchange protesters on Tuesday said their occupations were about social justice, "real democracy" and challenging the "unsustainable financial system that punishes the many and privileges the few".

"The management of St Paul’s Cathedral is obviously deeply divided over the position they have taken in response to our cause – but our cause has never been directed at the staff of the Cathedral. Nor have we ever called for ‘scalps’ as reported in the media," a spokesman said.

They added: "We reiterate the need for open and transparent dialogue involving all parties, including the Cathedral, the Corporation of London and others, through our relevant liaison groups. This is a historic opportunity to make a real difference and a real change for all in our society, in the UK and beyond."

Meanwhile. the Planning and Transportation Committee of the City of London Corporation voted to go ahead with court action to clear 200 plus tents from the public highways around St Paul’s.

The members of the committee, which is responsible for the highways for the Square Mile business district around St Paul’s, voted for the move leading to lawyers launching court action.

Michael Welbank, the elected Member who chaired the committee as its Deputy Chairman, said after the meeting: "Protest is an essential right in a democracy – but camping on the highway is not and we believe we will have a strong highways case because an encampment on a busy thoroughfare clearly impacts the rights of others."

(DW/GK)