Batman asks for the queen
2004-09-13 17:29
London - Police are trying, in vain, to talk down a protester dressed as Batman from a ledge near the balcony at Buckingham palace where royals appear on ceremonial occasions.
Fathers 4 Justice activist, Jason Hatch, has reportedly asked to speak to the queen, who is currently away on holiday in Scotland.
Hatch managed to scale the outer fence while other protesters distracted the attention of armed police by climbing on the front gate.
"The armed response came towards us and by the time they realised what Batman was doing, he had got over," said another Fathers 4 Justice campaigner, Darryl Westell.
Hatch then used a ladder to climb the wall of the palace itself, he added.
Two other intruders reportedly ran off after helping the demonstrator, believed to be from Fathers 4 Justice, penetrate the palace grounds.
Police said the men were detected by security cameras as they used ladders to scale palace railings on nearby Constitution Hill.
The breach is the latest in a series of security scares for the royals, which also saw an undercover reporter work as a Buckingham Palace servant and a comedian gatecrash Prince William's 21st birthday party.
Hatch unveiled a banner saying: "Super Dads of Fathers 4 Justice fighting for your right to see your kids."
The group believes Britain's courts are biased against fathers in divorce cases.
He repeatedly punched the air in triumph, grinning and waving to growing crowds below.