St Paul's Protesters Refused Eviction Appeal

Anti-capitalist protesters camped outside St Paul's Cathedral have been told to leave immediately after being refused permission by the Court of Appeal to challenge orders evicting them.

Three judges headed by Lord Neuberger dismissed applications to appeal against Mr Justice Lindblom's ruling in the High Court last month.

Granting orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London, Mr Justice Lindblom had said the proposed action by the City of London Corporation, which it pledged not to enforce pending appeal, was "entirely lawful and justified", as well as necessary and proportionate.

The appeal judges said the protesters had raised no arguable case.

The City said it would now enforce the orders made by the High Court for the removal of the tents and equipment, but gave no indication of when that might happen for "operational reasons".

Stuart Fraser, the Corporation's policy chairman, said: "I would call on protesters to comply with the decision of the courts and remove their tents and equipment voluntarily right away."

City lawyers said the limited interference with protesters' rights in removing the 200 tents was justified and proportionate, given the rights and freedoms of others.

They claimed the makeshift Occupy London camp was a magnet for disorder and crime in the area, impacted on churchgoers, affected the local economy and caused waste and hygiene problems.

Protesters have been camped at the location since October 15 as part of worldwide action inspired by the Occupy Wall Street movement in the US.

Speaking to Sky News, local MP Mark Field said: "I'm very pleased with the outcome.

"Given that all sides have exhaustedly gone through the legal avenues, it is incumbent on the protesters to move on peacefully from the site.

"With the Diamond Jubilee and the Olympics this year we need to get the site outside the iconic St Paul's cleaned up."