David Cameron has described the continued closure of St Paul's Cathedral as "very concerning" and urged the authorities to resolve the stand-off with protesters camped outside.
The Prime Minister pledged to look at the "broader issue" of demonstrators pitching up tents "almost anywhere" they please.
"I'm very concerned about the continuation of this protest, meaning St Paul's is not open to the public," he told a press conference in Perth, Australia.
"It's a key national site, it's a key tourist site, it's very important in the whole history and psyche of our country, and I think it's very concerning that it's not open. I hope that it can be resolved and I hope that the authorities, the Church, the mayor, the police, the Home Office, everyone can work together to make sure this happens."
Mr Cameron likened the St Paul's camp to the tents on Parliament Square, which have been the subject of numerous efforts to remove them.
"I do think there is a broader issue here - I'm all in favour of the freedom to demonstrate, but I don't quite see why the freedom to demonstrate has to include the freedom to pitch a tent almost anywhere you want to in London," he said.
"Of course we need the right to protest but these tents - whether in Parliament Square or whether in St Paul's - I don't think is the right way forward, and I do think we need to look at this whole area and I'm very keen that we do."
St Paul's is due to reopen, a week after anti-capitalist protesters forced it to close for the first time since the Second World War. The cathedral doors will open in time for the Eucharist at 12.30pm, which will include a prayer for the protesters camping outside.
The reopening follows the resignation of cathedral chancellor Canon Dr Giles Fraser on Thursday, who quit because he feared plans to evict the protesters could lead to violence. The Dean of St Paul's, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles, said officials were considering all options in response to the protest, including the courts.
The City of London Corporation, the local authority for the Square Mile, is expected to meet to hear legal advice and decide whether to launch eviction proceedings.
David Cameron has described the continued closure of St Paul's Cathedral as "very concerning" and urged the authorities to resolve the stand-off with protesters camped outside.
The Prime Minister pledged to look at the "broader issue" of demonstrators pitching up tents "almost anywhere" they please.
"I'm very concerned about the continuation of this protest, meaning St Paul's is not open to the public," he told a press conference in Perth, Australia.
"It's a key national site, it's a key tourist site, it's very important in the whole history and psyche of our country, and I think it's very concerning that it's not open. I hope that it can be resolved and I hope that the authorities, the Church, the mayor, the police, the Home Office, everyone can work together to make sure this happens."
Mr Cameron likened the St Paul's camp to the tents on Parliament Square, which have been the subject of numerous efforts to remove them.
"I do think there is a broader issue here - I'm all in favour of the freedom to demonstrate, but I don't quite see why the freedom to demonstrate has to include the freedom to pitch a tent almost anywhere you want to in London," he said.
"Of course we need the right to protest but these tents - whether in Parliament Square or whether in St Paul's - I don't think is the right way forward, and I do think we need to look at this whole area and I'm very keen that we do."
St Paul's is due to reopen, a week after anti-capitalist protesters forced it to close for the first time since the Second World War. The cathedral doors will open in time for the Eucharist at 12.30pm, which will include a prayer for the protesters camping outside.
The reopening follows the resignation of cathedral chancellor Canon Dr Giles Fraser on Thursday, who quit because he feared plans to evict the protesters could lead to violence. The Dean of St Paul's, the Rt Rev Graeme Knowles, said officials were considering all options in response to the protest, including the courts.
The City of London Corporation, the local authority for the Square Mile, is expected to meet to hear legal advice and decide whether to launch eviction proceedings.