A VICAR from Leytonstone says the conditions of many people living in the borough is what inspired him to become an enthusiastic supporter of the 'occupy' protests outside St Paul's Cathedral.

Revd Ian Harker, of the Holy Trinity Church in the heart of the deprived Cathall Estate, has become one of the most vocal religious advocates of campaigners who have been camped outside the London landmark since last month.

The protest, inspired by the 'Occupy Wall Street' movement in New York, is compromised of a mix of campaigners protesting against social injustice, economic inequality and corporate greed, but has attracted criticism for its location next to a major tourist attraction and place of worship.

The controversy has divided opinion, leading to the resignation of the cathedral's dean and canon chancellor and also sparked abandoned legal action by both church officials and the City of London to evict the group.

But Revd Harker, who now regularly visits the camp in solidarity with the protesters, said they were highlighting “vital” issues which demanded widespread attention.

He said: “There were two reasons why I started to get involved. First was the protest and the fact they were raising questions which are very normal and important to an area like Leytonstone.

“And secondly I felt I had to respond to the completely inept way the cathedral was handling the situation, especially with the symbolism of them closing its doors which we now know there was no need to do.”

Revd Harker said he felt criticisms of the camp over things such as the number of middle class protesters was a “distraction” and said he felt most people there wanted reform of capitalism and not its abolition.

He added: “Just today I was talking with a gardener who has lost a number of jobs in Leytonstone because a lot of older people can't afford to pay him anymore, and a young girl who's finished college but can't find a job.

“There are people all over Leytonstone struggling to put two coins together while some people and organisations are earning huge amounts of money which they can't possibly need all of.

“I think the protest is great. We should be encouraging them.”

He added that he expected the cathedral and protesters to come to an agreement over the end of the “occupation” shortly.

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