A fathers’ rights activist has been charged with criminal damage after setting up camp on Justice Secretary Chris Grayling’s roof.

Martin Matthews, 47, of Middlemead Road, Bookham, was arrested yesterday evening following a day and night on top of Mr Grayling’s home in Ashtead.

Mr Matthews has been released on conditional bail and will appear at South East Surrey Magistrates Court on September 8.

Police were called to the house at about 12.15am yesterday and erected scaffolding in the afternoon so that a negotiator could reach him.

At the time the BBC said Mr Matthews gave them advice about the scaffolding saying "Don't wanna go breaking tiles".

He climbed up with supplies at 9pm on Tuesday night and unfurled a banner. A photograph provided by New Fathers for Justice shows him apparently mooning.

The group said: "This is another protest to highlight the injustice parents face in the present family court system."

On Tuesday, Mr Matthews posted on Facebook: "Off to do a little one man protest because it’s the right thing to do."