Commons flour bomb hits Blair

AN urgent review of Westminster security was under way last night after British Prime Minister Tony Blair was hit by a purple flour bomb during Commons question time.

Pressure group Fathers 4 Justice said one of its members had thrown the missile from the public gallery. It splattered the dyed flour across Mr Blair's back as he stood at the Despatch Box.

Another protester shouted and held up a poster before both men were dragged away by security staff.

The pair, who were guests of a Labour peer, had been sitting in the front of the gallery, outside a new €1 million screen designed to prevent just such attacks.

Fathers 4 Justice said the missiles were condoms filled with purple-coloured self-raising flour.

The incident sparked claims that Speaker Michael Martin had breached security protocol by immediately clearing the chamber, instead of sealing it in case the powder was poisonous.

Mr Blair was shepherded to his office behind the chamber and his jacket was taken for examination. MPs poured out of the Commons potentially spreading any infectious agent.

The premier was said to be anxious to resume Prime Minister's Questions as soon as the all-clear had been given, but after the Commons had been suspended for 70 minutes he accepted it was not possible.

Mr Martin told MPs that the House authorities would now review the way the incident was handled.

Commons leader Peter Hain said: "A thorough review of security is taking place with the Security Service and the Metropolitan Police. It must now take account of the full circumstances of today's incident."

He added: "However, I believe that it is important that our procedures remain as accessible as possible."

Father-of-two Ron Davies, from Worthing, Sussex, allegedly threw the missile after he and his accomplice had been vouched for by Baroness Golding.

Only the first three rows of the public gallery are in front of the new security screen. Those who sit there have to be invited by peers, MPs or the Government.

Lady Golding told the House of Lords: "I am, of course, deeply distressed by this, as you would expect."

Mr Martin said the right of peers to sponsor guests in the Commons gallery had now been suspended.

Fathers 4 Justice said the incident was just the first in a series of protests in the run-up to a Father's Day demonstration on June 18.