A father, who trespassed in Buckingham Palace grounds while demonstrating as part of a joint campaign between groups New Fathers 4 Justice and Stop The War On Dads yesterday, has insisted that "taking a bullet" would have been worth the risk.
48-year-old Martin Matthews and fellow activist Bobby Smith aimed to raise awareness of their cause by scaling the Queen's Gallery yesterday afternoon, before eventually being arrested late last night.
Calling for equal rights for fathers in divorce and separation proceedings, the two men climbed the famous London landmark having had a fellow campaigner cause a distraction at the front of the palace.
Mr. Matthews acknowledges that their actions were worthy of concern given recent global events, but insists he stands by his decision.
"Obviously there were a few concerns. People are going to be nervous at the moment. But even if I had taken a bullet, it would have been worth the risk," he explained as he delighted in the fact their protest had raised awareness of their campaign.
It appears, however, that fellow activists were less impressed by the men's decision, with the original founder of Fathers4Justice asserting the mens' actions were irresponsible.
Commenting on last night's spectacle, Matt O' Connor said: “More than anyone we understand the frustrations of Britain’s dads at their continuing inhuman and degrading treatment. However, after the terrorist attacks in Paris, it is deeply irresponsible for protestors to put themselves and the police in such a potentially dangerous position."
Acknowledging that he once used the palace as a vehicle to express his standpoint, Mr. O' Connor insisted varying circumstances set the two protests apart, saying: "When we staged our Buckingham Palace protest in 2004, the climate in London was entirely different."
It has been established that Mr. Matthews and Mr. Smith came down from the building of their own accord at approximately 11pm last night.
Neither the Queen nor the Duke of Edinburgh were present during the protest.
