Scotland Yard has defended its new restrictions on Extinction Rebellion protests in London, saying the decision to impose further measures was "lawful".
Amid backlash at the new conditions, the force said they do not ban the demonstrations and said the measures are "proportionate and reasonable".
XR protesters were last night told to leave Trafalgar Square, where many had congregated lawfully since Monday last week, as Scotland Yard sought to expunge the activists from the capital.
But in a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said the new conditions "do not in any way ban protests from London".
He said: "It is a lawful decision which we felt is entirely proportionate and reasonable to impose after nine days of sustained, unlawful assembly and protest by Extinction Rebellion."
However, London Mayor Sadiq Khan said that he was in talks with the Met to find a way for Extinction Rebellion's protest to continue "legally and peacefully".
He added: "I've also received assurances that Extinction Rebellion are not banned from protesting in our city".
Extinction Rebellion: Trafalgar Square cleared
The Deputy Assistant Commissioner said that that the police would be open to a proposal for a "lawful" protest from the climate activists.
He added: “If Extinction Rebellion or any other group come to us with a proposal for a lawful protest, which does not cause the serious disruption to London we have witnessed over the past nine days, then of course we will discuss that. But what we cannot allow is for central London to be brought to a standstill.
“A significant police operation is ongoing, and we will continue to take robust action against anyone assembling or protesting unlawfully.”
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In response Extinction Rebellion have said they will now seek to have the case heard in the High Court "as soon as possible".
Human rights lawyer Tobias Garnett, working for Extinction Rebellion said: "We are disappointed with the police's response.
"We are going to be filing an application for judicial review in the High Court as soon as possible.
"We look forward to making our arguments in court.
"Rather than spending further time and resources to silence protests we would prefer the police and government to tell the truth."
Mr Garnett said that the group hope to be heard in the High Court tomorrow.
He added: "This is an issue that needs to be dealt with urgently."
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