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19/01/2006
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.
The group's leader Matt O'Connor announced yesterday that he was suspending the operations of the group, following allegations in 'The Sun' newspaper that 'extremists sympathisers' associated with the group had plotted to kidnap Mr Blair's five-year-old son Leo.
In a statement, Mr O'Connor said that Fathers 4 Justice was increasingly having its name "hijacked" by a growing number of militant extremists. He said: "After peacefully campaigning for three years to ensure children get to see their fathers, we condemn any individual who planned this appalling outrage, which is anathema to our campaign.
"I have three young boys myself and couldn't think of anything more traumatic for Mr Blair, his family and his son.
"This kind of coverage unravels all the good work we have done over the last three years."
Speaking to Channel 4 News last night, Mr O'Connor confirmed that the organisation was to disband. He said: "I want to get a good night's sleep. This is not what I wanted. I don't want to be associated with an organisation getting headlines like this."
Fathers 4 Justice became famous for their high profile demonstrations, staged by protestors who usually dressed up as comic book heroes.
Some of their most famous demonstrations took place at Buckingham Palace and the House of Commons, where protestors managed to hit the Prime Minister with flour.
However, last year the group was forced to expel 30 people, apparently in a bid to rid the group of extremist elements.
(KMcA/SP)
The group's leader Matt O'Connor announced yesterday that he was suspending the operations of the group, following allegations in 'The Sun' newspaper that 'extremists sympathisers' associated with the group had plotted to kidnap Mr Blair's five-year-old son Leo.
In a statement, Mr O'Connor said that Fathers 4 Justice was increasingly having its name "hijacked" by a growing number of militant extremists. He said: "After peacefully campaigning for three years to ensure children get to see their fathers, we condemn any individual who planned this appalling outrage, which is anathema to our campaign.
"I have three young boys myself and couldn't think of anything more traumatic for Mr Blair, his family and his son.
"This kind of coverage unravels all the good work we have done over the last three years."
Speaking to Channel 4 News last night, Mr O'Connor confirmed that the organisation was to disband. He said: "I want to get a good night's sleep. This is not what I wanted. I don't want to be associated with an organisation getting headlines like this."
Fathers 4 Justice became famous for their high profile demonstrations, staged by protestors who usually dressed up as comic book heroes.
Some of their most famous demonstrations took place at Buckingham Palace and the House of Commons, where protestors managed to hit the Prime Minister with flour.
However, last year the group was forced to expel 30 people, apparently in a bid to rid the group of extremist elements.
(KMcA/SP)
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28 September 2005
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A Fathers 4 Justice campaigner who staged a protest at Westminster on Tuesday has been arrested. Guy Harrison, 37, spent five hours on the roof of Westminster Hall, after breaching security during a tour of the Houses of Parliament.
Parliament roof protestor arrested
A Fathers 4 Justice campaigner who staged a protest at Westminster on Tuesday has been arrested. Guy Harrison, 37, spent five hours on the roof of Westminster Hall, after breaching security during a tour of the Houses of Parliament.
14 January 2005
Fathers' rights group take on 'Big Brother'
Fifteen members of media-savvy pressure group Fathers 4 Justice have been arrested following an attempt to stage an early morning stunt at the 'Celebrity Big Brother' compound in Hertfordshire.
Fathers' rights group take on 'Big Brother'
Fifteen members of media-savvy pressure group Fathers 4 Justice have been arrested following an attempt to stage an early morning stunt at the 'Celebrity Big Brother' compound in Hertfordshire.
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.
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19 November 2004
Minister handcuffed by fathers' rights campaigner
A campaigner for Fathers 4 Justice handcuffed himself to government minister Margaret Hodge today when she was attending a conference on family law in a Manchester hotel. The children's minister found herself handcuffed to the man for 40 minutes when, according the campaign group, he performed a "citizen's arrest".
Minister handcuffed by fathers' rights campaigner
A campaigner for Fathers 4 Justice handcuffed himself to government minister Margaret Hodge today when she was attending a conference on family law in a Manchester hotel. The children's minister found herself handcuffed to the man for 40 minutes when, according the campaign group, he performed a "citizen's arrest".
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".
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".
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:After a dry start this morning rain will spread from the northwest across all parts. This afternoon will be dull with some patchy rain and drizzle. Becoming much milder through the afternoon. Maximum temperature 11 °C.Tonight:A cloudy evening and night with a little light rain or drizzle, perhaps some clear periods developing along the east coast. A very mild night everywhere. Minimum temperature 10 °C.
