New move to shift protester

Brian Haw has had messages of support from many visitors

A peace protester, who has been camping opposite the Houses of Parliament since June 2001, could be asked to leave.

Brian Haw, 53, from Redditch, Worcestershire, is protesting about economic sanctions against Iraq and the Anglo-American bombing of the country.

He has already seen off a legal challenge from Westminster Council to move him from his pitch.

But now MPs are demanding he is shifted - because they say he is a nuisance.

Mr Haw has become a tourist attraction in Parliament Square and people from all over the world have left placards with messages of peace.

But since he started using a megaphone, politicians say he is too noisy.

Legal victory

More than 40 MPs have tabled an amendment to the Anti-Social Behaviour Bill which would allow the government to move him.

Last October, Mr Haw won a legal victory in the High Court when a judge refused to grant Westminster City Council an injunction to remove him from the square.

The judge ruled Mr Haw was exercising his right to freedom of speech and the pavement was not being seriously obstructed.

"I have had the people of the world on this pavement," said Mr Haw.

"Peace is more popular than Parliament."