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Brian Haw Reunited With His Original Display

Jonathan Wilkes | 04.12.2007 23:16 | SOCPA | London

On the 9th November Brian was granted access to his original display to take inventory of the items being held by the police. Short film on You Tube...

Video:
 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gN5V3uihRf4

Background (Schnews):
STRIFE OF BRIAN

On the 29th October Brian Haw was in court taking Ian Blair, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner to court over the removal of display banners and placards from Parliament Square in May 2006. The summons against Blair was issued this year, along with one to the Chief Supt of Charing Cross and Hendon police stations for 'receiving stolen goods', as they didn't have authority to take the display. It was an illegal seizure. This comes after a court case in January where Brian was found not guilty for failing to comply with SOCPA - leaving the matter of his seized banners unresolved. The raid had cost £111,000.

Unfortunately for the boys in blue amongst the property seized was artwork by edgy urban art phenomenon Banksy - (now collected by Angleina Jolie), which is now perhaps worth more than the Houses of Parliament

The court case didn't end up in a victory for Brian, but there was an acknowledgement that the banners were taken without due legal authority, and the Met and the Judge have agreed to an inventory of the confiscated stuff - and if it's not deemed a health and safety issue having sat in storage for 18 months - could be returned to Brian, but not to Parliament Square.

 http://www.schnews.org.uk/
 http://www.parliament-square.org.uk/

Also, Mark Wallinger wins Turner Prize:
 http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/arts_entertainment/art/mark%2Bwallinger%2Bwins%2Bturner%2Bprize/1136357

Jonathan Wilkes