Fathers' group behind House of Commons protest

A fathers' rights group has claimed responsibility for throwning a paint bomb at the British Prime Minister in the House of Commons…

A fathers' rights group has claimed responsibility for throwning a paint bomb at the British Prime Minister in the House of Commons today.

Politicians were forced to evacuate the chamber when the object was thrown from the gallery towards Mr Blair.

Members of parliament brushed the purple powder off Mr Blair's left shoulder while papers were thrown on top of the powder ball on the ground. The powder has been found to be dyed cornflour and declared non-toxic and harmless.

Witnesses said a young man entered the VIP area of the gallery and threw the object. Stewards bundled two people out of the gallery following the incident.

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In response to heightened security fears, a glass screen was recently erected in the public gallery but does not cover the privileged section.

Later the group Fathers 4 Justice said it was behind the incident.

Yesterday, two men belonging to the group launched a fathers' rights protest on the roof of a court building.

The pair climbed on to the top of Plymouth's Crown and County Court at around 6 a.m. dressed as Spiderman and Batman.

Fathers 4 Justice spokesman Mr Matt O'Connor identified one of those responsible as Mr Ron Davies.

He said Mr Davies had spoken to Mr Blair in a radio interview several weeks ago in which the Prime Minister promised to look at "shared parenting", ensuring that children retained meaningful contact with their fathers.

"However in a recent letter to Mr Davies, the Prime Minister reneged on his promise," said Mr O'Connor.

"Ron Davies hasn't seen his two children in five years despite court orders giving him contact."