TRAVELLERS FACING eviction from the Dale Farm site outside Basildon, Essex, resolved yesterday to launch one final legal effort in an attempt to prevent authorities moving them, despite losing three court actions.
The judgment by Mr Justice Ouseley at the Royal Courts of Justice brings the removal of several hundred travellers, including children, one step closer from the more than 50 illegal pitches on the site.
In his detailed ruling, Mr Justice Ouseley said it was “astonishing” that the Travellers had left it so late in the day to take legal action challenging the council’s grounds for taking action as disproportionate. Urging them to obey the judgment, the judge said: “It is the residents of Dale Farm who have to comply with the obligation to leave voluntarily. If the removal becomes forcible it would be because of decisions made by the residents not to comply.”
The Travellers’ representatives and lawyers met within an hour of the ruling to prepare to lodge an appeal by tomorrow.
“We want this to be heard as quickly as possible early next week,” said gypsy council member Candy Sheridan.
Refusing to heed calls for last-minute negotiation, Basildon Council said it will proceed with the evictions immediately following the conclusion of legal action and bailiffs and police officers from seven forces can then be brought back on-site.
Speaking outside the court, council chairman Tony Ball said: “The residents of the illegal settlement have now had their day in court.
“For almost three weeks every aspect of the council’s decision to clear Dale Farm has been scrutinised in great detail.
“Our position has been upheld. Having engaged with the legal system, they must now abide by the result. They have reached the end of the day and they should reflect on what the judge said, that the criminal law applies to all equally.”
Traveller supporters who have stayed within the camp in varying numbers over recent weeks should “stand down and preferably leave the site”, he said. “If they have the Travellers’ best interest at heart they will do this.”
Speaking against a backdrop of supporters chanting, “we will not be moved”, the Tory council leader continued: “There is nothing to be gained by their continued resistance and certainly not if it involves violence and other forms of law-breaking as some have suggested.”
Urging the Travellers to leave “in a peaceful and orderly manner”, Mr Ball said: “If anyone needs help we will help . . . If anyone is concerned about becoming homeless they should contact our housing [department]. There is no need for the vulnerable, the young or the elderly to live on the roadside.”
Clearly disappointed by the result, camp resident Kathleen McCarthy said: “If we keep going we might win something and get a judge who is a human being who understands that putting people on the side of the road is not a human thing to do.” Travellers at the camp last night were described as really distressed.
One of the supporters, Jake Fulton, said: “They are steeling themselves for a very brutal eviction. We will be resisting non-violently, but we can’t necessarily say the same for [the bailiffs].”
The evictions, if they are finally given the go ahead, will clear 49 of the 54 pitches on the illegally-developed plots. But the walls and fencings and most of the hard-standing surfaces laid over the years will have to stay, since the council does not have permission to clear them away.
