UNITED KINGDOM: London residents lose a court case to stop the military from installing missiles on the roof of their tower block during the Olympics

Record ID: 330829

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: London residents lose a court case to stop the military from installing missiles on the roof of their tower block during the Olympics
  • Date: 10th July 2012
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UNITED KINGDOM (RECENT) (REUTERS) OLYMPIC PARK AND STADIUM OLYMPIC STADIUM
  • Embargoed: 25th July 2012 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Crime,Sports
  • Reuters ID: LVAEH6PCZTQZ3I1W4P0S8UBO0VLD
  • Story Text: Worried residents of of a London tower block lost their court battle on Tuesday (July 10) to stop surface-to-air missiles being stationed on the roof of their apartment building during the London Olympics.
    The tenants of the 17-storey Fred Wigg tower block fear the missiles could make them a target for attacks during the Games.
    But a High Court judge ruled the tenants didn't have a case, saying the missile system was a necessary part of security against air attacks during the Olympics. He said the Ministry of Defence had the right to set up the missile system for reasons of national security.
    Lawyers representing the tenants spoke to journalists after the finding.
    "The clear implication of today's judgement is that the Ministry of Defence now has the power to militarise the private homes of any person in Britain so long as they can demonstrate that there is in their view a matter of national security in play. They do not need to ask you, they do not need to consult you, but can take over your home and put a missile on your roof, a tank on your lawn or soldiers in your front living room," said David Enright.
    Another of the group's lawyers, Martin Howe, said worried residents deserved to be relocated to hotels during the Games. He said they would decide whether or not to make a speedy appeal.
    "We are very disappointed at the decision. We respect the careful attention that the judge has given to us, and we respect the fact that he slept very little last night working on his papers, but we must now look with the residents at whether there is to be an appeal, and an immediate and swift appeal, to what has just happened inside," he said.
    The block is one of six sites in the capital where missiles, including rapier and high-velocity systems, will be used to protect against air attacks during the Olympics.
    East London residents have also been angered by the decision to place missiles on the roof of a Victorian match factory, converted into luxury flats in the Lexington Building in the Bow area of east London, which overlooks the Olympic Park.
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