St Paul's Anti-Capitalist Protesters Evicted

Occupy London protesters have vowed to launch fresh anti-capitalist demonstrations after their camp outside St Paul's Cathedral in London was brought to an end by bailiffs and police.

Around 100 demonstrators gathered again at St Paul's this evening, talking in small groups, but police said there were no incidents.

The Occupy London protesters were refused permission by the Court of Appeal last week to challenge orders evicting them from the cathedral steps, where they had been living in tents since October 15 last year.

:: See a timeline of the Occupy London protests

The City of London Corporation called on protesters to remove their tents voluntarily, but around 50 or 60 refused to budge - with some creating makeshift barriers out of wooden shelving units as police moved in to help bailiffs clear the camp.

Police said 20 people had been arrested during the eviction but the operation was largely peaceful.

And a statement issued by the 'Occupy London Press Team' suggested further protests could be imminent.

"In the medium term, it is only right that people will need time to rest, reflect and recharge, to take stock and learn the lessons of the past four and a half months," the statement said.

"But be assured that plans are already afoot: plans of some ambition, employing a diversity of tactics and delivered with the aplomb you would expect from us.

"All will be revealed in time. May is one of our favourite months. This is only the beginning."

St Paul's Cathedral also issued a statement, saying: "In the past few months, we have all been made to re-examine important issues about social and economic justice and the role the cathedral can play.

"We regret the camp had to be removed by bailiffs but we are fully committed to continuing to promote these issues through our worship, teaching and Institute.

"The cathedral is open today and set aside for prayer and reflection. The cathedral is accessible to everyone. The area currently cordoned off is for essential repairs to damaged paving."

Giles Fraser, who resigned as canon chancellor of St Paul's rather than see protesters cleared out by force, said: "Riot police clearing the steps of St Paul's Cathedral was a terrible sight. This is a sad day for the Church."

Officers are remaining at the site as the cathedral steps and the yard, both now free of protesters, are cleared of debris.

The corporation said in a statement on its website that it was enforcing "the High Court orders for the removal of the tents and equipment outside St Paul's".

It went on: "We regret that it has come to this but the High Court Judgment speaks for itself and the Court of Appeal has confirmed that judgment.

"High Court enforcement officers employed by the City of London Corporation are undertaking the removal with the police present to ensure public safety and maintain order. We would ask protesters to move on peaceably.

"The City of London Corporation is ensuring vulnerable people are being helped and supported to find appropriate accommodation in partnership with Broadway, a charity for the homeless."

At the camp overnight, Sky's Gamal Fahnbulleh said a large number of police officers wearing riot gear and around 20 to 30 bailiffs had moved in.

"They have started moving bits of wood and tents - all that has been here over the last four months or so," he said.

"There seems to be two separate groups of protesters, one on the steps of the Cathedral watching what's going, peacefully chanting and waving their banners.

"But another group have set up a makeshift fence with bits of wood - they seem to have no intention of moving any time soon."

Occupy LSX protester Ronan McNern told Sky News: "There's two kettles in operation. There's one around people who are sitting on the steps... there's another kettle around the camp and there's hundreds and hundreds of police here all around us.

"The bailiffs are making their way through, clearing and knocking down tents. It's a bit emotional to be honest, this has become a home for occupiers as well as homeless people."

He went on: "Outside of the kettles there is a riot squad there and another wider kettle around all of it and I can see crowds amassing outside of those."

The protester vowed to appeal against the decision to remove the camp at European level.

"The right to protest is what matters here," he said.

The High Court found in favour of the City of London Corporation in the case against the camp on January 18, 2012.

Granting orders for possession and injunctions against Occupy London at the High Court last month, Mr Justice Lindblom 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, headed by the Master of the Rolls, Lord Neuberger, said that the protesters had raised no arguable case.