Tuesday 1 June 2010
at
14:18
|
Mr Laws had not returned to his rural residence this afternoon, but a group of fathers’ rights campaigners did arrive at the address.
The New Fathers for Justice had scheduled the protest in Lydmarsh weeks before the scandal broke - but made the most of the unexpected publicity.
They argued that cutting expenditure on the family courts was the way to beat the deficit.
Five campaigners - two dressed as Batman, one as Captain America, another as Superman, and one as Iron Man - unveiled a banner outside Mr Laws’ wooden gate.
It read: “Mend Broken Britain. Give Dads Equality.”
Some 15 officers were estimated by one constable to be in attendance at the scene. Some were visible in Mr Laws’ garden, others patrolling the private road in front of his home.
Father-of-two Richard Addams, 44, from Taunton, who dressed as Batman, said: “We chose him because he is a prominent member of the Government and in charge of the country’s finances - or what’s left of them.
“One billion pounds a year is spent on legal aid to mothers to fight their cases in the family courts. If he wants to save money he should give fathers automatic rights of contact, provided the child is not at risk.”
Group leader Nigel Ace, 42, from Clevedon, spoke through a megaphone while his comrades held the banner.
Apparently addressing Mr Laws, Mr Ace said: “If you keep your job, you can make a saving, sir. You need to get your party to support fathers. If you cut the cost of the family courts you can actually make people happy.”
The protest, which lasted under an hour, passed without incident and officers allowed Mr Ace to speak to the media outside the property. Later the campaigners put leaflets through his door.
It is understood that Mr Laws will not return to the address today.
Posted by
SPIDER on the ROOF
0 comments:
Post a Comment