“They are freeloaders who have hogged this site long enough. I will explore every legal avenue to take back that site for genuine travellers who are passing through Birmingham.”

The Dohertys, through their lawyers the Community Law Partnership, have steadfastly claimed that the site is permanent and they have tenancy rights.

In a previous statement Chris Johnson, from the Community Law Partnership, representing the family, said: “This is not a transit site, but a permanent site.

“Mr Doherty and his other family members are very annoyed at the allegations that they deter other travellers from coming to the site. This is also completely untrue.

“Our client pays his rent and does not cause any nuisance or annoyance. He would much prefer to continue in that way rather than have false accusations made against him in public.”

The city council first served notice on William Doherty and his family in 2004 and the legal battle was finally heard at the House of Lords. But they found in favour of the family after the Dohertys’ lawyers claimed that the council had violated their human rights by ordering the eviction without giving a reason.