brian haw wins channel 4's most inspiring political figure award 2007

The Parliament Square peace protestor, Brian Haw, has won the
UK's Channel 4's 2007 award for the Most Inspiring Political Figure.

Mr Haw attended the ceremony on 7 February hosted by
Channel 4, in association with the Hansard Society. He gave
a rousing acceptance speech before an invited audience of
Members of Parliament, Peers and journalists.

The award ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 7pm
on Saturday 10 February and repeated on 13 February.

        Mr Haw received a massive 54 per cent of all votes cast by the public
        for Most Inspiring Political Figure 2007. General Sir Richard Dannatt,
        the head of the British Army, who recently said that troops should be      
        withdrawn from Iraq, came second with 18 per cent.

The actual political leaders amongst the nominees, Tony Blair and
David Cameron, were backed by only eight and six per cent of
the vote respectively. Other nominees were Aishah Azmi and the
Archbishop of York.

Mr Haw said, "I would like to say a warm thank you to everyone
who voted for me. This is a vote against this government's
killing, maiming, torture, stealing. Its a vote for the children
of Iraq and Afghanistan, for all our children - our future. For
truth, justice, peace and democracy for all."

INFORMATION AND CONTACTS
The ceremony will be broadcast on Channel 4 at 7pm on
10 February (repeated on 13 Feb).
For more information about Brian Haw see
www.parliament-square.org.uk
For more information on the Channel 4 awards see:
www.channel4.com/news/microsites/P/politicalawards/index.html

NOTES
Brian Haw has been protesting opposite Parliament since
2nd June 2001. Initially he was campaigning against the economic
sanctions on Iraq and the bombing of the country by the US and UK.
After 11 September 2001, he widened his focus, directing his
messages of peace against the 'war on terror' and the terror that
the US and UK have inflicted on Afghanistan and Iraq. Brian has
been the subject of many attempts by various authorities to
remove him and his display, including the introduction of
a new law in 2005 banning unauthorised demonstrations near
Parliament.

Despite this, and the removal of most of his display by the
police in May 2006, he continues his vigil for peace and justice.
In January 2007 his dismantled display was meticulously
reconstructed for an exhibition by the artist Mark Wallinger at Tate Britain.

Parliament Square Peace Campaign
for supporters of Brian Haw and the right to protest