Demonstrators scaled a crane in Parliament Square today, apparently protesting over the controversial EU Treaty that campaigners claim nearly nine out of 10 voters want a referendum on.

Activists clambered onto the crane early this morning before unravelling banners proclaiming "Referendum Now" and "Give Us Our Vote".

It comes two days before MPs are set to vote on a Conservative amendment to the EU Treaty Bill, calling for a referendum on the issue.

Two men had managed to scale the structure and secure the banners.

Today's protest comes less than a week after climate change protesters breached security at Westminster by climbing on to the roof of the Houses of Parliament to demonstrate against the expansion of Heathrow Airport.

The crane towers hundreds of feet over the south west corner of Parliament Square.

EU campaigners said yesterday that in a series of mini-referendums held nationwide, 88 per cent demanded a vote on the Lisbon Treaty, which surrenders a raft of British powers to Brussels.

And 89 per cent said Britain should not approve the controversial treaty, according to the unofficial ballots held in ten marginal Labour and Lib-Dem parliamentary constituencies.

Organisers said the result was a "magnificent victory" that sent a clear message to the Prime Minister and the Lib-Dems not to break election pledges to support a national vote.

The I Want A Referendum group, which is backed by MPs of all parties, said 152,520 people voted, with 133,251 demanding a say on the revived EU constitution.

They claimed the 36.2 per cent turnout was higher than the average for local council elections since 1996, giving the result more authority.

Full article here.