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One of Banksy's distinctive artworks |
I want my property back now – Haw
Peace campaigner accuses police commissioner of ‘stealing’ valuable anti-war protest
BRIAN Haw has accused the Metropolitan Police Commissioner of stealing property from his anti-war protest in Parliament Square.
The peace campaigner made the statement in a hearing at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday.
Sir Ian Blair gave the green light for the anti-war protester’s display to be removed last May after a court ruled it could only be three metres wide.
The display – which includes two original murals by the guerilla-artist Banksy and was recently recreated in an art exhibition in the Tate Britain – is believed to be worth more than £100,000.
The police will not return his property to Parliament Square, Mr Haw’s home, because of controversial laws banning unauthorised protest there.
Sir Ian was summoned to the court on Tuesday to answer claims from Mr Haw.
But the case was dismissed, in farcical scenes, by District Judge Nicholas Evans after Mr Haw became agitated and demanded another magistrate preside over the case.
He claimed Mr Evans was “biased and prejudiced” and asked for another magistrate (see Diary page 7).
The judge said to list the case again would create cost issues. He said: “There is no dispute about the ownership of the property but you will not be successful in having your property returned to Parliament Square. The application is bound to fail.”
A police spokesman confirmed they would not return the property to Parliament Square because of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act banning unauthorised protest in Parliament Square.
He said: “Mr Haw is free to come and collect his property at any time he wishes. But we will not return them to Parliament Square.”
Outside the court Mr Haw said: “Do you have a home? Do you own things? If they were stolen from you, would you want them returned to your home? Of course you would. I want my property back now.
“Shall I leave them in a farm in Wigan? What good would they be to anyone there?”
When asked on the valuable artwork taken in the dawn raid last year he added: “Forget the Banksys. I’m sure he would agree that the most valuable banner is the one that reads: Stop the genocide of Iraqi children – how can you put a value on that?”
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