Camden Islington & West End - News Reviews Listings

UPDATED EVERY
FRIDAY
Last Update:
Friday 30th September, 2005

PUBLICATION

By JOEL TAYLOR

SECTIONS

NAVIGATION

Haw forced to hang up hailer

Veteran protester forced into silence

ONLY the emergency services should be allowed to use a loudhailer, City Hall’s licensing committee ruled this week.
Their judgement came after peace protester Brian Haw applied to Westminster Council for a licence allowing him to use a loud hailer opposite the Houses of Parliament.
But now he is considering seeking a judicial review to challenge the decision.
Mr Haw has been campaigning outside Parliament for more than four years against British foreign policy and the war in Iraq, and he has frequently used a loud hailer to berate Tony Blair and ministers.
But he was banned from using the megaphone when the government’s controversial Serious and Organised Crime Act was introduced making it a criminal offence to use one in the square.
The Act also bans demonstrations from the square without securing permission from the police at least six days in advance.
But in a landmark ruling a couple of months ago Mr Haw’s demonstration was allowed to continue as the Act makes no provision for demonstrations which began before it came into force.
In a bid to exploit a loop hole in the law, he applied to Westminster Council for permission to use a megaphone, using prominent human rights solicitors Bindman and Partners.
His solicitor Stephen Grosz wrote to the council saying: “Mr Haw wishes to continue to use a small battery-powered megaphone. His demonstration is in the middle of Parliament Square where there is no crossing place for pedestrians.”
He added: “Without the aid of a megaphone, the many interested pedestrians cannot hear Mr Haw’s words.”
But in the Monday meeting the committee ruled that loudhailers should not be used in the square following complaints that noise disturbs MP’s business.
Audrey Lewis, Westminster’s licensing boss, said: “While I agree Mr Haw has a legal right to protest, his use of a loudhailer is a public nuisance.
“He can still make his views known but now without causing disturbance.”
She added: “Were we to have granted his application there would undoubtedly be applications for other protesters to do the same.
“This is a security concern because the emergency services may need to be the only people with the right to make amplified announcements within the square.”
But following the hearing Mr Haw remained defiant.
He said: “They have gagged us. It is outrageous that just because the government doesn’t like what we are saying they are trying to shut us up. We presented an excellent case, saying why we should be allowed to cry out on behalf of the innocents, but on a tour bus they can go by talking about Churchill and his drinking on a PA system.
“They had a pathetic case. They have had so many applications from pubs they are worn out, the poor dears.
“With the traffic you can’t be heard – you have to shout to talk to the person next to you.
“I am waiting for advice from my solicitors but we should go for a judicial review.”

Look for vintage not barcode

FULL STORY...

... and another thing....

Typical isn’t it? You leave the country for a few days and when you get back everything you thought you knew is wrong.
FULL STORY...

top