Campaigners appealing against eviction ruling

THE Scottish Parliament will seek to fast-track an appeal brought by a group of independence campaigners after a court ruled in favour of their eviction from its grounds.

Parliament chief executive Paul Grice has written to MSPs expressing his “disappointment” at the appeal, lodged by the Indycamp group last week, and stating their “intransigence” would lead to further costs.

The group set up camp outside Holyrood in November 2015 and pledged to stay until Scotland gained independence, sparking a seven-month court battle as the Scottish Parliamentary Corporate Body (SPCB) sought to remove them.

Judge Lord Turnbull ruled in favour of the Parliament at the Court of Session last month and granted a petition to have the campers evicted.

In his letter, Mr Grice said: “Throughout the 21day period for appeal, the parliamentary authorities repeatedly sought to engage with the protesters to agree plans for a peaceful removal of the camp, and for the land to be repaired and quickly returned to wider public use.

“While it is their right to appeal, we are disappointed they have chosen not to respect the decision of the court.

“We remain open to discussing alternative ways in which they can make their protest.”

He added: “Even if the appeal is fast-tracked by the court, a conclusion is still some way off, and the on-going intransigence of the protesters will almost certainly lead to further costs being incurred by both parties.”

The campaigners had argued that eviction would infringe their rights to freedom of expression and freedom of assembly and association.