WOODFORD Green-born protestor Brian Haw has hit out at a new attempt to evict him from the site of his thousand day anti-war protest outside the House of Commons.

Charing Cross police have asked him to scale down his protest because they believe he poses a security risk and his placards could be used by terrorists to hide a bomb.

A police spokeswoman confirmed that they were in discussion with Mr Haw but refused to disclose what measures they might take against him.

Mr Haw said: "No-one would get away with putting half a ton of fertiliser here without me or the police noticing it. It's quite ridiculous for them to make out that I am a security risk when I am the best security that that building has.

"There was a car here the other night, probably just tourists but of course I kept my eye on them. If I saw anything suspicious I would notify the police. I'm not here to facilitate bombing, I am here to stop it."

Mr Haw has fought a running battle against authorities' attempts to evict him defeating previous attempts by Westminster Council but this is the first time that police have made a move against him.

He said: "I'm very upset that the police are being used for political purposes. I'm seriously concerned that our police are being used and abused in this way."

Mr Haw's one-man protest has polarised opinion with some condemning it as an eyesore and others determined to defend his right to be there.

His solicitor Michael Schwarz said: "Brian Haw is peacefully campaigning on perhaps the most significant issue of the day at a place that is supposed to be the very heart of our democracy. "It is difficult to think of a more compelling example of the deployment of the right to protest."

The Government is considering legislation to outlaw protests in the vicinity of Parliament but Mr Haw has attracted support from some politicians.

Deputy Mayor of London Jenny Jones said: "He is an incredibly important part of the national protest about the Government's decision to take Britain into what many of us see as an illegal and unjust attack on Iraq.

"In moving Brian Haw and his protest the Met would be suppressing the right and freedom of an individual to express his political views, and I strongly oppose the Met's action."

A police spokeswoman said: "We have asked him to scale down his demonstration for security reasons. We have approached him and are in discus