Police ambush five-year anti-war protest

LONDON - Veteran British peace activist Brian Haw was stripped of his anti-war banners and placards by up to 50 police officers mounting an early-morning ambush in Parliament Square.

Amid chaotic and farcical scenes, police wrestled with nine dishevelled protesters - led by Haw - as a 40m line of anti-war placards was dismantled and dumped in a metal container.

Two demonstrators who attempted to mount the metal container to salvage placards were arrested.

Haw has camped out in front of the Houses of Commons since 2001.

An ongoing battle between the 57-year-old protester and police has been waged for some time. Last July, the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act came into force, bringing with it powers to halt demonstrations in Parliament Square or its vicinity - a provision widely seen as having been designed with Haw in mind.

Haw, in turn, has claimed the restrictions do not apply to him because his demonstration began in June 2001, before the Act became law. But a Court of Appeal hearing this month rejected his argument and refused leave to appeal to the Lords. The court said he would have to apply to the police for authorisation to continue the dispute.

Permission to demonstrate in the square has been restricted by the police to a display that must not exceed 3m in length with not more than 20 protesters.

- INDEPENDENT