Brian Haw Arrested This Morning

Brian Haw, the anti-war protester camped outside parliament, was arrested this morning as police cleared demonstrators ahead of the Queen's speech.

It's been 3279 days since the start of Brian's protest on 2 June 2001.

A witness reported seeing Haw being handcuffed by officers opposite the Houses of Parliament where he and other peace campaigners maintain a round-the-clock protest.

Police with sniffer dogs moved to search the tents on Parliament Square before the Queen arrived to announce the new government's plans. 'While in opposition, the Tories promised that they'd evict Haw should they get in power, so in a way it's surprising they've taken this long to do it.'

A Scotland Yard spokeswoman said two people were arrested at 8am "on suspicion of obstructing police". She did not confirm whether Haw was one of them.

Haw first set up camp in June 2001 in a one-man protest against war and foreign policy – initially, the sanctions against Iraq. He said he was inspired to take up his vigil after seeing the images and information produced by the Mariam appeal, an anti-sanctions campaign.

Haw only leaves his campsite to attend court hearings and survives on food brought by supporters, who include the former Labour cabinet minister Tony Benn and activist and comedian Mark Thomas.

The 60-year-old father-of-seven, from Redditch, Worcestershire, has been arrested several times. The Greater London Authority, which owns the land, says it has been "increasingly concerned by the ongoing mess and chaos".

The subject is a hot topic on twitter.