Indy activists evicted from campsite

A GROUP of independence campaigners who set up camp outside the Scottish Parliament have lost their court battle against eviction.

The Indycamp group set up outside Holyrood last November, and pledged to stay until Scotland gained independence, sparking a seven-month court battle as the Parliament’s corporate body sought their eviction.

Judge Lord Turnbull ruled in favour of the Parliament and granted their petition to have the campers evicted.

In a written judgement published yesterday, he found the ruling against the campaigners would not “deprive them of the essence” of their human rights.

The campaigners had argued at the Court of Session in Edinburgh that eviction would infringe their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association.

Gerry Moynihan QC, represent- ing the Scottish Parliament, argued the group had a right to protest but not to occupy land belonging to a third party either permanently or indeterminately.

The court heard no protesters are granted permission to set up residence on Parliament grounds or stay overnight.

Groups of campaigners put forward several arguments against eviction including claiming Jesus Christ had given permission for the camp and claiming all judges were criminals and should be executed, along with the Queen.

Advocate Jamie Gardner, representing some members of the camp, claimed the continuous nature and location of the protest was of its “essence”.

Lord Turnbull ruled against these claims. He said “no evidence has been presented to explain why a 24-hour, permanent presence is essential” and added there was no “unified focus” to the protest, as some saw it as a “peace camp”.