From: Andrew Johnson
Date: 2006-12-12 18:17:41
www.telegraph.co.uk/… Peace placards ‘could hide terrorist bomb’ Last Updated: 2:37am GMT 12/12/2006 The anti-war campaigner Brian Haw’s peace vigil in Parliament Square could be exploited by terrorists wanting to bomb Westminster, a court was told yesterday. Brian Haw arrives at magistrates’ court in central London Haw’s placards outside the Houses of Parliament could be used to conceal a device planted by extremists wanting to strike a “devastating blow to the heart of democracy”. The Metropolitan Police’s concerns came to light as Haw, 57, appeared in court to answer charges of breaching conditions on his demonstration imposed under the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Hugo Keith, prosecuting, told Marylebone Magistrates’ Court: “Brian Haw is a well-known figure in Parliament Square. He’s demonstrated since June 2, 2001 and lives, sleeps and eats on the pavement, initially protesting over sanctions in Iraq, now protesting against Government policy over Iraq.” Mr Keith said that on May 9 and 16 the Met Police notified Haw of conditions imposed on his demonstration and on May 16 a breach of those conditions was recorded. Mr Keith told the court: “It’s not suggested Mr Haw poses a terrorist threat. What concerns the Met Police is the risk his unique position in Parliament Square may be exploited by terrorists wanting to strike a devastating blow to the heart of democracy.” He explained that police were concerned that a bomb might be concealed behind Mr Haw’s placards. “These conditions are necessary to bring that risk down to an acceptable level,” he added. It is claimed Haw failed to maintain his camp to a required size, had possessions which would have allowed people to secrete things within them and failed to maintain the site so anyone glancing at it could see if a suspicious object was hidden there. Haw denied at an earlier hearing that he had breached the conditions. Information appearing on telegraph.co.uk is the copyright of Telegraph Media Group Limited and must not be reproduced in any medium without licence. For the full copyright statement see Copyright