Men's Hour: Matthew O'Connor, founder Fathers 4 Justice, gets everything throw at him bar the kitchen sink (They ran out of time or it would have been the kitchen sink too)

When asked why he started Fathers 4 Justice

"I was fed up having to apologise for being a father."

Listen to the programme...

On BBC Five Live morning radio programme, Eleanor Oldroyd said

"We're hearing some heart rending stories. I think nobody could possibly argue with the pain that's behind all of these, the emotion that's behind these. I wonder whether there are some people who would question the tactics that you've used, the disruption. The email we read out earlier on, the guy who had sympathy with you was tempered by the fact he didn't like sitting it a traffic jam when he was in a lot of pain."

Matthew O'Connor

"Sympathy won't change the law, sympathy hasn't changed the law in 30 years. I was in a room full of MPs last night who were all very sympathetic, but frankly did bugger all about it. Excuse my French there. but you know it is about; we have exhausted every avenue available to us. We've had meetings with Lord Filkin, of the Department of Constitutional Affairs and he as done nothing about it. We have had talks with Bob Geldof and Bob hasn't been able to do anything about it. We are left with one simple choice, that is fathers engaged in a national campaign of civil disruption, civil disobedience. People are going to go to prison and that's the gravity of the situation. We are not prepared to tolerate this; not for ourselves, for our children."

A couple of negative quotes like

This however is not the way to drum up support.

Selfish parents! Try sticking to your marriage vows

Many positive quotes

I bought up my children with no help from my ex-wife yet she got custody. Why?

My two children are now like strangers to me. Well done Matt! Count me in.

I haven't seen my children in over 15 months, £4000 in solicitors fees. Change is needed.

Here's the discussion Windows Audio 20min or Real Audio 20min or Right click and download part 1 mp3 910Kb and Right click and download part 2 mp3 1.6Mb

February 2008