London Council try to ban Anti-Royal Wedding Street Party

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             "Camden Council has been accused of discrimination on the grounds of political belief after seeking to ban a republican street party, despite previous confirmation that the event could go ahead. The campaign group Republic, who have organised the party, have vowed to fight the decision.Camden initially gave the go ahead in March for Earlham Street in Covent Garden to be the site of Republic's party. But with just three weeks to go the Council has refused to provide a temporary traffic order to close Earlham Street, effectively banning the event altogether.

Unusually the decision was taken at the level of senior management, with Sam Monck, Assistant Director of Environment and Transport, citing local opposition as the reason for the ban.

Police and the council had confirmed as late as Tuesday that they had no problem with the nature of the event and were happy that there were no public safety concerns.

Reacting to the news Republic's Executive Officer Graham Smith vowed the party would go ahead:

"This is a disgraceful attack on the rights of republicans to make their voice heard and to hold a fun and peaceful event. Camden Council is allowing a few vocal residents and businesses to veto any event in central London they do not support."

"Our street party is designed to be a peaceful, fun, family event with food, music and stalls. The police, local businesses and the council's own staff have been fully supportive of our plans. We can only assume this is a politically motivated ban and we will challenge it all the way."