Court rules for council, allowing removal of St Peters Square red tent camp housing homeless individuals.
The Law Centre tried to stop the council’s action, but their legal challenge failed on Tuesday. The Law Centre represented one asylum seeker, and the council withdrew its claim against him. About forty unrepresented refugees also appeared in court.
One refugee said no one in the tents was happy and that they did not choose to live there; he added everyone was “going through hell.” The Law Centre claimed the council avoided helping them to make an example.
The Law Centre’s Kathy Cosgrove spoke, saying the council sent refugees to Mustard Tree, a charity. Because Mustard Tree is a charity, it lacks a legal duty to help.
Oliver Edwards also spoke for the Law Centre, stating the council treated refugees unfairly, differently from UK nationals. The council sent only refugees to Mustard Tree.
Kuljit Bhogal KC represented the council; she rejected the Law Centre’s claims. She said Mustard Tree helps all asylum seekers, and this service is also open more generally, providing interpreters and a warm place to talk.
Ms. Bhogal stated the council housed many residents using temporary homes or private rentals, fulfilling their legal duty. She added new refugees arrived often, making the camp a “revolving door.”
Judge Nigel Bird addressed the claim about diverting people to Mustard Tree, calling it a serious allegation. However, he said he saw no evidence supporting it.
The judge ruled that the refugees were trespassing and had to remove their tents; he saw no reason to order otherwise. He ordered the defendants to leave St Peter’s Square.
The judge noted St Peter’s Square is for everyone and hoped the housing system would help them. He made no order for the represented defendant but made a possession order which demanded all other defendants leave the square.