Tony Blair takes a powder - Purple powder from Fathers 4 Justice - Prime Minister reteats to safety

From The Daily Mirror TONY BLAIR HIT BY POWDER MISSILE IN THE COMMONS
The purple cloud to the right of the prime minister has just hit the prime minister's back

From Fathers 4 Justice

Angry Dads powder coat Blair in Commons 'Flour Power' Protest

Protestors from the campaign group Fathers 4 Justice today launched a protest in the Guests gallery in the House of Commons using condom's filled with purple coloured self raising flour which were thrown at the Prime Minister.

It is believed that Ron Davies, 44, a father from Worthing threw the condoms. Ron had spoken to the Prime Minister in a radio interview several weeks ago in which the Prime Minister had 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.

Ron Davies hasn't seen his two children in 5 years despite court orders giving him contact.

Fathers 4 Justice say that MP's are fully aware that every day 100 children lose contact with their fathers in the family courts and that Parliament has failed children, failed fathers and failed families.

The group say that this is the first in a series of planned protests in the run up to their Fathers Day demo on 18th June.

From The Daily Mirror TONY BLAIR HIT BY POWDER MISSILE IN THE COMMONS

Prime Minister Tony Blair was hit by a missile thrown from a gallery in the House of Commons today.
Protestors hurled purple powder at the Premier striking him between the shoulder blades and clattering to the floor.

It puffed up around the PM and senior colleagues on the front bench including Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Chancellor Gordon Brown.

One demonstrator continued throwing powder in Mr Blair’s direction for several seconds before Commons security apprehended him.

Another man showed off a poster from the gallery daubed with an illegible slogan and pictures. Dads’ rights pressure group Fathers 4 Justice later claimed responsibility for the attack.

One eyewitness said: “This is one of the biggest security breached of all time

“Paint bombs were thrown and one hit the PM right between the shoulder blades.

“The PM was absolutely shocked to the core. He went white and the colour drained from his face

“There was shock for a few seconds then people realised they could have been chemical or biological agents thrown into the Commons.”

Commons leader Peter Hain said: "This was a serious incident. I have asked for an immediate report on the circumstances and what additional security provisions may be necessary."

The purple powder was tested and confirmed to be purple "benign" coloured cornflower by the House of Commons.

The incident caused Prime Minister’s Question Time to be suspended after 18 minutes had passed of the half-an-hour weekly session.

From The Guardian Missile hits Blair during question time

Tony Blair was hit between the shoulders by a missile thrown by protestors during prime minister's questions today - forcing the Commons chamber to be abandoned.

Two objects which appeared to contain purple powder were thrown, the first landing behind Mr Blair and the second hitting him in the back.

Reporters present in the chamber at the time said the prime minister "visibly blanched" as he was struck.

Mr Blair left the chamber with a purple stain on his suit, while the chamber descended into pandemonium. MPs fanned papers and security officials pointed to the culprits in the west gallery.

The incident happened at 12.18pm, and the Speaker, Michael Martin, immediately suspended proceedings.

At 1.30pm Mr Michael Martin reopened proceedings, declaring: "Back to business as usual." However, prime minister's questions will not be resumed.

In a brief statement, he told MPs that "after detailed inspection, the substance was found not to be harmful".

He added that the member responsible for admitting the two assailants came from the House of Lords, and would be required to give a "full explanation" by the end of the day.

Mr Martin also declared a suspension of the practice of allowing peers to sign in guests for the Commons, and reminded MPs that they would be required to "verify and vouch" for their guests.

A bulletproof glass screen has only just been installed as an anti-terrorism measure between the public gallery and the MPs.

However, the press gallery and the side gallery - open to visiting dignatories and peers - are still open plan.

Twenty minutes after the attack, the group Fathers 4 Justice claimed responsibility for the protest.

A spokesman for the group said two men had made their protest in the run-up to Father's Day on June 20, demanding equal rights for fathers.

Sources suggest that the two men were signed into the peers' guest corner of the gallery by Lady Golding, former Labour MP for Newcastle under Lyme. As Lynne Golding she succeeded her husband, John, as the local MP.

Purple powder was used because "purple is the international colour for equality", the spokesman said.

The powder not only hit Mr Blair but appeared to splatter around him and colleagues on the front bench, the deputy prime minister, John Prescott, and the chancellor, Gordon Brown.

The leader of the Commons, Peter Hain, said: "This was a serious incident. I have asked for an immediate report on the circumstances and what additional security provisions may be necessary."

Among the VIPs in the public gallery at the time of the incident was a delegation from the Palestinian legislative council, who had earlier been welcomed by Mr Blair.

Speaking in Bournemouth, the home secretary confirmed the incident would lead to "even greater restrictions" on public access to the House of Commons.

David Blunkett pledged that the security service, MI5, would take today's attack into account in its continuing review of security at the Houses of Parliament.

"The House of Commons commission which is responsible for security in the Palace of Westminster had, following the deception at Buckingham Palace, agreed with me that the security service should be reviewed.

"The first part of the review threw up the suggestion of a screen in the public gallery.

"It's clear that the security service will now have to report on how to screen that same area more effectively.

"I regret that because of this there will have to be even greater restrictions on the ability of MPs, peers and officials to bring people in."

Conservative MP Alan Duncan said: "The world is now such that however valid their protest, this is not excusable. Nothing less than a prison sentence is sufficient."

And Liberal Democrat Lembit Opik said: "No one should believe they will win any friends in any party by doing something like this.

"The whole thing was handled pretty well. There was no messing about. If whoever did this thinks he has performed a service for his organisation, he is wrong. This is the way to destroy the credibility of your organisation."

And fellow Liberal Democrat Paul Tyler, who tabled an unsuccessful amendment against the screen some weeks ago, said: "This shows that the priority for security lies at the perimeter of the Palace of Westminster. I shall be raising this with Mr Hain tomorrow."