PROTESTERS occupying Glasgow’s George Square have been given 48 hours to get out by a sheriff.

Around 20 people have been camping outside the City Chambers in an apparent protest against homelessness.

The group claim they are also providing a refuge for the city’s homeless and acting as a collection point for food.

However the council said staff had been “unable to ascertain” if the individuals protesting were homeless because most had refused “all assistance offered.”

The local authority raised an action at Glasgow Sheriff Court to evict the group, who have set up four tents and the Sheriff yesterday ruled in its favour.

During the hearing, David Armstrong, who said he was representing the occupants, claimed the group had a right to protest under Article 11 of the European Convention on Human Rights.

However the council’s lawyer, Kenny McDonald, said that while individuals had the right to stage a protest they did not have the the right to occupy a publicly owned space, under the Civic Government (Scotland Act) 1982 and Sheriff Gillian Bryson agreed.

She said the right to protest had to be "balanced against a responsibility towards members of the public."

Mr McDonald said the group had verbally abused council staff and that there was evidence from homeless street teams that more people were planning to join the camp.

He said: “No defence has been presented that explains the occupation of that part of George Square.”

An email, seen by the Evening Times, was sent out to all elected members by the council's Chief Executive, Annemarie O'Donnell following “a number of enquiries” about the situation from councillors.

She wrote: “The situation in George Square is very fluid, but over the weekend it appeared that there may have been 4 known homelessness service users on site.

“Social Work has supported one service user to attend the Hamish Allan Centre.

“Another two wish to be accommodated as a couple, but haven’t presented and another person is refusing all support.

“The status of the others remains unknown as they are reluctant to give our staff any information.

“The remaining individuals have refused to give their names, have refused to engage in any discussion with our staff and have also been verbally abusive to staff.

“Social Work will continue to attempt to engage with this group, but to date we have been unable to ascertain if they are homeless and they have refused all assistance offered.”

A council spokesman said: “We are pleased the court supported our position.

“We fully support the right to protest, but the court found that those camping in George Square had no right to occupy a publicly-owned space on a permanent or indefinite basis.

“George Square is owned and maintained by the council for the benefit of the whole community.”

Video by Jamie Simpson