Protesters have been told they have to leave St Paul's Cathedral

Occupy London protesters at St Paul’s are like the anti-hero star of hit West End play Jerusalem, London Mayor Boris Johnson said.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson

Anti-capitalist protesters in tents have spent months outside the cathedral in the City.

A court order for them to quit the site was won by the Corporation of London yesterday (Wednesday).

In Jerusalem, charismatic outsider Johnnie Rooster Byron lives in a mobile home which he refuses to leave for new homes to be built.

His lifestyle of late-night parties, drinking and drug-taking is not popular with his neighbours – who try repeatedly to evict him.

Speaking to London24.com, Mayor Johnson said: “I have said many times I think people support the right to protest.

“People loved the guy in Jerusalem as an anti-hero, libertarian anarchist sitting there in his illegal camp. Everyone supports that in one way, but when they are desecrating a World Heritage site and using it as a latrine then it becomes a different matter.”

Calling the Occupy movement to pack its bags and quit, Mayor Johnson insisted the needs of businesses in the area were key.

“Actually the St Paul protesters have interesting points to make, but they’ve made them now and businesses around that important London tourist spot need to be able to get on with their lives and attract tourists.”

The Mayor was grilled by Barnet voters at Talk London this week, in association with London24.com.