HOMELESSNESS protesters are claiming victory after they were granted a continuation of a case which would evict them from George Square.

Glasgow City Council sought a decree at the Sheriff Court to evict the protesters which could have given the power to remove them and their small camp from George Square within 24 hours.

However, the protesters argued they were not given enough notice of the action to allow them to get legal representation and the case was continued for one week.

There are still around half a dozen men and women in the tents.

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They include the organiser, Jason Miller, who said he is not currently homeless but has been over several years in the past and is taking the action because he wants to help those who are.

Others sleeping in the tents are homeless and they said they are enduring freezing temperatures sleeping in the open and suffering ill health as a result.

Mr Miller, 27, said they will not be moved until the council provides suitable accommodation for the homeless.

Glasgow City Council said it has tried to engage with the protesters since they moved in and has offered help but that it has been refused repeatedly.

The protesters were represented in court by campaigner, Sean Clerkin.

Mr Clerkin said: “The council never told the protesters about the case until the day before.

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“That did not give them time to arrange proper legal representation.

“This was the argument I put on their behalf and which the sheriff accepted.”

Mr Clerkin, who is not one of the protesters camping in the square but who has been advising them, said the protest will go on.

He said: “This is a victory for the protesters. They will be able to continue in the square.”

He said the protesters will now seek legal representation before the hearing next week.

Mr Clerkin added: “The protesters want homes for the homeless and want Glasgow City Council to engage with them. they say they have but they have not.”

The protesters have now spent ten nights in tents in the square having set up camp on March 24.

Four days later they were formally asked to leave by the council after social work officers had offered help but said it was rejected.

Mr Clerkin added: “Glasgow City Council needs to ask the Scottish Government for more money to provide more housing and medical and support service for people on the streets.”

A spokeswoman for Glasgow City Council, said: “It is simply untrue to claim the council has not engaged with the protestors.

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“Help and assistance has been offered repeatedly to anyone who needs it, however, it has been rejected.

“In the interests of fairness, the council did not oppose the request for a brief continuation of the case to enable the protestors to instruct a lawyer.”