The Hindu : International : `Batman' breaches security

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Sep 14, 2004

International

International

`Batman' breaches security

LONDON, SEPT. 13. A protester dressed in a Batman costume scaled the front wall of Buckingham Palace on Monday, and was perched on a ledge near the balcony where the royal family appears on ceremonial occasions.

The protester was identified as Jason Hatch, 33, from Gloucester, a member of the Fathers 4 Justice group, which is campaigning for greater custody rights for divorced or separated fathers.

No member of the royal family was at the palace. Queen Elizabeth II was at her Balmoral residence in Scotland.

The protester's success in climbing the wall in front of the queen's main residence prompted fresh questions about the much-criticised and recently-overhauled royal security operation.

``It's not good enough and we want to know how this happened,'' Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir John Stevens told British Broadcasting Corp. radio.

Asked if the breach was embarrassing for authorities, he replied ``There's no doubt it is. I've asked for a full report as soon as possible on my desk tomorrow morning. We've got to resolve the situation.''

Police tried to persuade Mr. Hatch to come down as he stood for hours above a banner bearing the words ``Superdads of Fathers 4 Justice, Fighting for Your Right to See Your Kid.'' — AP

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