I have no doubt at all this happened as stated, if for no other reason than than the same regularly happens to me and many, many others in London. The cause is invariably poorly trained security automatons spouting fantasy legal statutes to while away the afternoon, justifying the cost of their services. A photographer moved on is one so-called 'threat' less. For public spaces that are private property the issue seems to be more about image and trademark than security; the security line is a fob-off.

Given the manners displayed by the 'suits' I'd knock off a letter to the buildings owners, local MP/councillor and the local rag. If this is how Liverpool businesses are dealing with culture in the year of culture, it should be publicised locally.

Kudos for standing your ground.

- Security guards have no remit beyond their own property; if they provide security for the passport office they have no right to quiz you about something else unless they provide security for the 'estate' itself.

- No one can stop you shooting from public property, although you may not be able to sell the picture if the building is trademarked unless it is 'incidental' to the whole image.