St Paul's protest 'can stay until new year'

Protesters camping outside St Paul's Cathedral in London have said they are considering an offer to allow them to stay until the new year.Under the deal with the City of London Corporation, the number of protesters' tents would be reduced to allow more space for access for the fire brigade.The offer follows the Corporation's decision to pause legal action to evict the protesters.St Paul's Cathedral abandoned its legal action against the camp on Wednesday.Protesters claimed the Corporation had offered them the deal, which would lead to them leaving on an agreed date in 2012.John Cooper, a barrister acting for the protesters, said his clients were considering the offer.Although a deal would see the protest last for several more weeks, it would save the Corporation and St Paul's the potential embarrassment of a forcible eviction.Lawyers have predicted that if legal action were to run its course, the camp might remain until the spring.The camp, which involves about 200 people, has been outside the cathedral since 15 October. People taking part are protesting against inequality and corporate greed in the City.Similar camps have been set up elsewhere in the UK as part of the Occupy movement that has spread from New York since September.In Bournemouth, protesters are camped in front of the town hall while tents have been set up in Glasgow city centre's George Square and Birmingham's Victoria Square.The row in London claimed another victim on Monday as the Dean, the Right Reverend Graeme Knowles, resigned.His departure - after he said his position was "untenable" - followed those of Canon Chancellor of St Paul's Giles Fraser and part-time chaplain Fraser Dyer.