The Mayor brought an action to the court earlier this month, arguing that the camp was causing "considerable damage" to the Square, which he inaccurately described as lying within a UNESCO World Heritage site. Boris further argued that it was an offputting eyesore to other Londoners and (more importantly) tourists. Mr Justice Griffith Williams tilted towards the Mayor's point of view, though not every member of the GLA is so enthralled: Green member Jenny Jones said the ruling came "at the cost of democracy".
Rather than bring in the heavyset clearing crew, Justice Williams has asked that the campers now remove themselves peacefully and of their own volition. Given the intransigence displayed thus far, he may be disappointed. None more determined to stay, of course, that Brian Haw, who has just rounded his ninth year pitched across the road from Westminster. Will he be allowed to remain?