SECURITY weaknesess surrounding top level public figures came under severe scrutiny today after a Fathers 4 Justice campaigner handcuffed himself to a government minister.
No police were present when Children's Minister Margaret Hodge was handcuffed by the protester during a family law conference in Salford yesterday, because security was left to hotel staff.
Downing Street would not comment on the question of Mrs Hodge's security at the Lowry Hotel and the Home Office would only say: "It's a matter for the police."
Senior cabinet ministers, including the Prime Minister, and former Northern Ireland ministers would normally be accompanied by close, or personal protection officers, usually armed with semi- automatic pistols.
But Ms Hodge would not normally have a member of the diplomatic protection team accompanying her and, usually, her protection would be entrusted to the local police.
However, her security may have to be reviewed since she has become a well known target for publicity-seeking campaigners.
Before any ministerial visit to an area the local special branch would usually contact their national counterpart in London to check whether there was any specific threat.
The Department for Education also said that the matter was being dealt with by Greater Manchester Police.
Targeted
But Assistant Chief Constable Steve Thomas said security for the event was handled by the hotel and that no officers from Greater Manchester Police had been present.
He said there had been no intelligence to suggest the event would be targeted in this way and added that he did not know if the minister was accompanied by her own security officers.
He added: "There were no members of GMP at the hotel, it has its own security.
He said the minister had not been injured. "She was quite shaken at first, but she is OK now and has returned to London as planned."
Officers used bolt cutters supplied by the hotel to cut the cuffs from her wrist.
A second man who attempted to handcuff himself to the minister failed. He managed to escape from the police.
The MP was addressing a family law conference at the hotel when a man stormed the stage and handcuffed himself to the minister for 40 minutes.
Later, Fathers 4 Justice warned that the stunt was the start of "a Christmas of chaos" which aims to target "the 10 most wanted people in family law".
It is believed campaigners had booked rooms at the five-star hotel to infiltrate the conference.
A 39-year-old man, Jonathan "Jolly" Stanesby, was arrested on suspicion of assault and causing a disturbance. He was later released on police bail.
Have Fathers 4 Justice gone too far?
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Yes they have!
They are arrogant, ignortant and dont care about anyone else except themselves!
They spout off about wanting access to their children, yet continue to flout the law, amongst many other things and are a bad vison for those fathers fighting for justice the normal way
They are also arrogant enough to 'steal' the nationally recognised colour of purple, which belongs to the survivors of sexual abuse campaign, and when told this, said, in effect, TOUGH!
family courts do not enforce their own court orders for contact between fathers and their children leaving no option but a campaign of civil disobedience.
When will children's rights to both equal parents be allowed by this government. Labour value foxes but they don't value childrens families after separation and divorce. These bave super dads are trying to save childrens lives from the emotional abuse and damage caused by not letting them see their dads and familes. Margaret Hodge should be jailed for her crimes against the family.
In response to the comments by Steve Harris above:
You seem to misunderstand what F4J is and are fighting for.
Purple is the Internationally recognised colour for Equality, and nothing to do with sex abuse.
These campaigners are not arrogant, it is you who is arrogant if you think that there is a normal way to fight for "contact" with your own child. This is far from normal for parents.
The campaign if fighting to stop the need for parents to fight over contact, residency or for that matter any relationship between child and parent.
The so called "normal" methods, are failing families, mothers, fathers, grandparents and especially children.
A system that fails in secrecy, has obviously allowed you to form the opinion all is well and good in Family Law. Well it certainly isn't and families who turn to it for help, soon realise they are thrust into the middle of a war zone with winners and losers.
The actions of F4J are there to expose the injustice, and make it visible so ignorance and arrogance such as you portray can be overcome and the public can start to demand a just and fair law, with equality at the core, promoting both good parents in the best interest of the child.
Dave - F4J Manchester Branch
They hauled away the wrong person. The Minister is the crook. Go ask a fatherless child. They know. No one else gets it.
As an ex member of F4J who made my comments known to your good paper yesturday. One has to ask why you felt it nessasary not to publish it?Especially so given that all I said is in fact truth! Please dont hesitate to contact me Kind regards. Peter
I understand their cause and feel that they must be in a terrible position...but i fell that the way they go about it is pathetic.....like someone already said it puts shame upon those who fight for access in a peacful law abiding way....