The Mayor today won the backing of a High Court judge in his bid to clear Parliament Square of protesters.
The judge granted possession orders and injunctions against certain named individuals at the camp known as Democracy Village after a nine-day hearing.
The protesters have been given a reprieve until 4pm on Friday. If they have not successfully applied to the Appeal Court for a further hearing by that time the Mayor will be free to enforce the court orders.
In a statement Boris Johnson said he was "pleased" that the court had supported the Greater London Authority's application to regain possession of the area.
Mr Johnson added that he respected the right to demonstrate but considerable damage had been caused to the square since the start of the protest on May 1. "We would urge the protesters to respect the court's ruling and leave peacefully," he said.
Mr Justice Griffith Williams said that the Mayor had reacted appropriately and correctly in seeking the court orders.
He added: "I am satisfied there is a pressing social need not to permit an indefinite camped protest for the protection of the rights and freedoms of others to access the square and to demonstrate with authorisation.
"There is also evidence that it is acting as a magnet attracting the homeless who are taking advantage of the lack of control and there is heavy drinking."
The judge said that the evidence of the protesters breaching by-laws was "overwhelming".
Although he accepted that none of the protesters would be deterred by any prosecution for breach of the by-laws, he warned that they should be ready for stronger action.
"Those who chose to ignore the functions of the Mayor and the rights of others to access the square freely or to protest there with authorisation can hardly complain if they make themselves liable to more serious punishment," said the judge.
He went on to say that many of the protesters are "presently displaying the kind of arrogance which they believe puts them above the law".
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The judge declined to act against certain defendants including Rebecca Hall, the friend of veteran protester Brian Haw. The judge said that he was concerned about Mr Haw's health and that he had been allowed for many years to demonstrate on the pavement of the square away from the grassed area where the other protesters had moved in.
