25/03/2005

Fathers' rights protestors scale St Paul's

Two Fathers 4 Justice campaigners have scaled St Paul's Cathedral in London, police have confirmed.

A City of London Police spokesperson said that the campaigners, who are reportedly dressed as monks, climbed up to the dome of the cathedral at around 08:00 GMT.

Visitors are still able to visit the cathedral, although they are being asked to use a different entrance from the usual West Door.

Police have reportedly cordoned off an area below where the men are positioned, to protect passer-bys from any debris that might be dislodged by the protestors.

It is believed that the protestors wish to stay there until tomorrow. Fathers 4 Justice spokesperson, Matt O'Connor, said that the protestors had tents and enough provisions to remain at St Paul's until Easter Sunday. He said that the protest had been planned because of the Easter holidays and the fact that many fathers would not be able to see their children.

Fathers 4 Justice have been behind a series of high-profile campaigns inlcluding a powder attack on Prime Minister Tony Blair in the House of Commons and a protest at Buckingham Palace. The protestors have become renowned for dressing up in costumes, especially those worn by famous superheroes.

(KMcA/SP)

Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

15 August 2011
Cameron Pledge To Fix 'Broken Society'
Prime Minister David Cameron has announced a review of Government policies following England's riots in order to address the "moral collapse" in society.
15 August 2008
Fathers 4 Justice 'Batman' Stops Traffic
A Father 4 Justice protestor has stopped traffic in his bid to raise the profile of the civil rights' group. Geoff Hibbert, dressed as Batman, used a ladder to climb onto a gantry above the M25 motorway between junctions 14 and 15. Mr Hibbert told Sky News that he will "try and stay here all day but the police are going to try and remove me".
27 October 2011
St Paul's Chancellor Resigns In Support Of OccupyLSX
The chancellor of St Paul's Cathedral has resigned from his post in support of the protestors still camped outside the churches grounds. Reverend Canon Dr Giles Fraser had been vocal in his support of the Occupy the London Stock Exchange movement, telling police they were "not needed" when officers prepared a barricade.
09 July 2008
Superheroes Take To Roof In Fathers 4 Justice Protest
Two Fathers 4 Justice campaigners have begun a root-top protest at the home of the Equality Minister Harriet Harman. The pair are reported to be Mark Harris and Jolly Stanesby, who carried out a similar protest at Ms Harman's property in Herne Hill, south London, on June 8 and 9. It is not clear if Ms Harman is at her home.
19 January 2006
Fathers 4 Justice disbands on kidnap plot allegations
Fathers 4 Justice is to disband, following reports linking the fathers' rights group to a plot to kidnap Prime Minister Tony Blair's youngest son.