Fathers plan abbey crucifixion stunt

TWO men who yesterday scaled Westminster Abbey in a fathers’ rights protest are preparing to spend the night there.

A spokesman for Real Fathers for Justice said the pair had climbed 50ft to 60ft up the landmark at 7am.

They carried up a dummy on a cross to signify that fathers were being “crucified” with unequal treatment in the courts over access to children.

Today at midday they plan to stage a Good Friday crucifixion stunt.

But the spokesman said their supplies and sleeping bags - along with Roman costumes they had planned to wear - had been taken by police.

The men, aged 30 and 48 and from the north-east of England, were determined to carry on, he said. The older man is suffering from a terminal illness.

“He hasn’t seen his child in four years, despite having numerous contact orders which are just flouted time and time again,” the spokesman said.

He defended the decision of Real Fathers for Justice to continue the campaigns while the original Fathers 4 Justice disbanded in January.

“The problems haven’t gone away. We haven’t changed anything. There has been a lot of noise coming from the government and various people but nothing has changed.”

Police confirmed the men were still on the roof. They are unlikely to try to bring the men down by force.

A Westminster Abbey spokesman said earlier: “We understand and want to defend the right of legitimate protest, but would be disappointed if such a protest interfered with worship for thousands of members of the public over the holy week.

“On another occasion we would be happy to listen to views presented in a calm and rational way.”

Later, the abbey said: “The protesters are still there and everything reasonable is being done to find a suitable resolution. In the meantime, Easter services and the life of the abbey are going ahead as normal.”

Fathers 4 Justice disbanded after reports linked it to an alleged plan to kidnap British Prime Minister Tony Blair’s son Leo.

Over three years, members had carried out a variety of audacious stunts including hurling a package of purple flour at Mr Blair in the Commons, and dressing as Batman to stage a five-hour protest on a balcony at Buckingham Palace.

Real Fathers for Justice, a splinter group, has vowed to keep carrying out high-profile demonstrations.