The public gallery at the Town Hall last night (Monday)

POLICE officers were in the public gallery of the council chamber last night (Monday) as Gaza demonstrators holding up posters refused to leave.

In contrast to previous incidents in Camden this year, protesters were not making any noise or heckling the meeting– instead standing in silence while holding up their signs.

But the Mayor of Camden Samata Khatoon and Borough Solicitor Andrew Maughan said that it was a distraction to the debating chamber and asked them to leave.

When they refused, the room was cleared while security and then two police officers persuaded the demonstrators to stop.

Mr Maughan and Camden’s chief executive Jenny Rowlands were also seen talking to them during a 15-minute suspension of the regular all-member meeting.

Protesters say they want Camden to remove pension fund investments from from companies linked to arming Israel. The fund for council employees’ retirement includes deposits in Elbit System, Israel’s largest military manufacturer.

The protest continues after the chamber is cleared and, below, police officers decide what they should do about it

Mr Maughan told the demonstrators that they had not submitted a deputation to speak at the council meeting, but campaigners say their requests to speak have been blocked.

In March, Camden’s then mayor Councillor Nazma Rahman ordered the public galleries not to be opened for an all-member meeting after something was thrown into the chamber at a previous session.

Campaigners wanted Camden councillors to pass a motion demanding an immediate ceasefire.

There were no arrests last night (Monday).