15/08/2008

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".

He added that the police have been "very, very good about it, very supportive".

The campaigner said that he was "doing this for my daughter" and "I'll do my protest all day".

Mr Hibbert, from Farnborough, Hants, unfurled a Fathers 4 Justice banner and displayed pictures of his eight-year-old daughter.

A Metropolitan Police spokeswoman said: "We were alerted at 7am by a man on the gantry of the M25 near junction 14 at Hillingdon.

"We don't negotiate with people in these circumstances but will endeavour to speak to the man and encourage him to come down safely given the position that he is in."

Holidaymakers heading for Heathrow were among those hit by the rush hour stunt on one of Britian's busiest roads.

The affected section is on the anti-clockwise carriageway near the M4 turn-off for Heathrow.

Traffic is now queuing back to junction 18 at Chorleywood causing a tailback as long as 15 miles.

The Highways Agency is warning drivers to expect delays of up to an hour and a half.

Fathers 4 Justice, which has the slogan 'A Father is for life, not just conception' was formed in 2002 to campaign for improved father's rights in the family courts and improve access to children after a divorce or separation.

Campaigners regularly dress up in superhero costumes.

(DS)

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