erickamikaze Posted September 13 Report Share Posted September 13 High Security "Batman" ends Buckingham Palace protestMon 13 September, 2004 22:46 By Paul MajendieLONDON (Reuters) - A campaigner dressed as Batman, from a fathers' rights group that pelted Prime Minister Tony Blair with flour-filled condoms, has caused a major security breach by scaling the front wall of Buckingham Palace.Police talked the man down after five hours on a small ledge some 10 metres (30 feet) off the ground at Queen Elizabeth's London residence, lifting him down on a cherry-picker.The royal family is on holiday in Scotland, but the incident outraged security experts, and Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens said he had called for an immediate report. "If it had been someone carrying a bomb and it had been assessed he had been carrying a bomb, he would have been shot," he said on Monday.The campaign group Fathers 4 Justice said police had threatened to shoot a would-be accomplice who was dressed as magazine hero Batman's sidekick Robin.Darly Westell, a spokesman for the protesters, told Reuters: "We created a diversion at the front gates of the palace to allow Batman and Robin to walk up to the side with long ladders and climb over the fence."Police threatened to shoot Robin unless he got down from the fence. But Batman was able to continue."The Batman protester unveiled a banner on the front of the palace saying: "Super Dads of Fathers 4 Justice fighting for your right to see your kids."The group believes British courts are biased against fathers in child access arrangements in divorce cases.HANDLED CORRECTLYHome Secretary David Blunkett later told the House of Commons the incident had been handled correctly and showed that the palace's security systems worked."Nevertheless the speed with which the intruders were able to scale the wall is of concern, and the Metropolitan Police and my officials are urgently reviewing with the Royal household any further measures required," he said.Fathers 4 Justice named the protester as Jason Hatch. He repeatedly punched the air in triumph, grinning and waving to growing crowds below but looked chilly as the sun went down.He and his would be sidekick were immediately arrested.It was the latest in a long line of high level stunts by the group which has included scaling the London Eye tourist attraction, York Minster cathedral, the Clifton suspension Bridge and a crane next to Tower Bridge.Father 4 Justice spokesman John Ison hailed the latest stunt as a major success."The demonstration itself has been the biggest by far. I don't think we can ever top that," he said.The attack with flour launched at Blair in parliament four months ago caused a huge security alert, closed the chamber and prompted changes to access rules for the House of Commons.http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=582633§ion=news Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bling Posted September 13 Report Share Posted September 13 those crazy brits Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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