I see from media reports that the doors were and are closed for reasons of health and safety. The same report also shows the protestor's tents in an orderly manner located away from the main steps. Wonder what the honest reason is and who made the decision!

Bet they open for Xmas though!

I suspect politically the Cathedral is in a very difficult position and does not wish to engage in a complex debate with the protesters over the actual detail of their decision, hence why there is a general health and safety statement issued. The bottom line is that the Cathedral owes its visitors a duty of care, but the protestors, despite what arrangements they say they have in place do not.

Having followed the news reports it has become apparent that after a rather pious but warm welcome to the protesters on the first day or two, the reported loss of ~£20k per day in visitor income is the most potent driver to the Cathedral authorities for removal of these protesters. Is it not ever thus that H&S is the first knee jerk explanation or excuse? I was also greatly amused at one news report that showed the protesters queuing at a nearby Starbucks, to use their loo and to refresh themselves with coffee. Clearly, welfare facilities are important, but there was an irony there, that the protesters choose one of those very capitalist companies to provide liquid refreshment and subsequent relief!

Interesting how the cathedral was closed for Health and safety reasons, again giving the profession a bad name, if they where more specific then people may understand.

The reason they were/are using the Starbucks facilities is because they had used, backed up, flooded the ones in the Cathedral. I think the Dean should have said that and not trotted out the same old rhetoric! Stop giving us a bad name!!

I can see the Cathedrals problem. After the initial surge they soon realised that not many were going to purchase delicate sandwiches at three quid a throw, nor wine at nearly the same cost, let alone tea at nearly the same price for a small cup. And not many wanted to pay fourteen quid for a ticket either. As for the trustees: Chairman Sir John Stuttard PWC partner, Former Lord Mayor of London. Trustees The Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, Dean of St Paul’s Dame Helen Alexander DBE Deputy chair of the CBI, director of Centrica plc Lord Blair of Boughton Former Metropolitan Police Commissioner Roger Gifford Investment banker, City of London John Harvey – Not clearly identified Joyce Hytner OBE – Theatre director Gavin Ralston Global Head of Product and leading international asset manager at Schroder Investment Management Carol Sergeant CBE - Chief Risk Director at Lloyds TSB, formerly Managing Director for Regulatory Process and Risk at the FSA John Spence OBE – Former Managing Director, Business Banking, LloydsTSB

I've only seen snippets of news items about the protesters and their camp, but suspect there is a strong likelihood that the cathedral doors have been locked to prevent the protesters from using the toilet & washing facilities for visitors. From a glance through the list of cathedral trustees provided by John Murray, one wonders if the trustee cited as 'Chief Risk Director at Lloyds TSB' was asked for advice about the H&S implications of the situation. However, perhaps bankers have a different interpretation of the word "risk" from ourselves in OS&H, just as insurers evidently do. Also, thinking back to the forum topic some weeks ago about using music to deter anti-social behaviour, perhaps the cathedral authorities are considering the use of music as a non-violent means of persuading the protesters to go away! They could emulate shops and share (inflict) some Christmas carols, quite appropriately to remind everyone that Christmas is coming again. Constantly repeated renditions of "Silent Night", especially in the small hours of the morning, might be quite effective! Does anyone have any other suggestions for types of and/or pieces of music which might be appropriate?!!