Indy camp to appeal eviction decision
PROTESTERS staging a vigil for independence branded ‘arrogant’ by a senior judge are refusing to leave Holyrood – and plotting an appeal.
Officials from the Scottish parliament have met with the socalled ‘Indy camp’ and asked them to leave peacefully, but with no success.
It is now three weeks since the protesters were ordered to pack their bags in a withering Court of Session verdict, which said they were ruining the area for other visitors.
The group has now enlisted solicitor John Flanagan and advocate Jamie Gardiner to scour Lord Turnbull’s ruling for grounds of appeal.
If an appeal is lodged it would put the verdict on hold and parliament chiefs’ hopes of reclaiming the land would be dashed for the foreseeable future.
It would be a blow to those who hoped the Court of Session verdict would see the end of the rag tag collection of caravans, tents and banners which has marked the grass between Holyrood and Arthur’s Seat since late last year.
Dean Halliday, 49, from Edinburgh, said: ‘We want to stay until there’s independence and we will be lodging an appeal.’
Asked if the group would agree to the parliament’s request to move peacefully, he added: ‘We’ve been peaceful throughout. We’re a peaceful movement.’
The protesters claim their human rights were ‘obliterated’ by last month’s court verdict.
However, Mr Flanagan, of Flanagan and Co, said it was far from certain an appeal would be lodged. He said: ‘We are still considering the papers.’