A fathers’ rights protester Martin Matthews has been arrested after climbing onto a Buckingham Palace roof yesterday.
Martin Matthews and Bobby Smith earlier this year
Mr Matthews, from Great Bookham, breached security and used a ladder to climb onto the Queen’s Gallery at 3.15pm, New Fathers 4 Justice said.
Once he was on the roof, Mr Matthews unfurled a banner.
— Fathers Justice (@JusticeFathers) November 30, 2015
He was joined on the roof by Bobby Smith, who also assisted him in climbing MP Chris Grayling’s roof in October, dressed as Elmo.
From October: Bob the Builder and Elmo in police custody after climbing onto Chris Grayling's roof in Ashtead
New Fathers 4 Justice said a third accomplice created a distraction outside the palace gates while Mr Matthews and Mr Smith scaled the building.
— Fathers Justice (@JusticeFathers) November 30, 2015
At around 11pm the pair came down of their own accord, according to a Metropolitan police spokesman.
They were arrested on suspicion of trespassing on a protected site, and are in custody at the Central London Police station.
— Fathers Justice (@JusticeFathers) November 30, 2015
Mr Matthews has become well-known in Epsom and Ewell for climbing the roof of MP Chris Grayling’s home and office six times in three years.
He has claimed Surrey Police gave him a ‘final warning’ after the last protest.
James Hewitt on the roof at Buckingham Palace pic.twitter.com/8BEpCYSIeN
— Fathers Justice (@JusticeFathers) November 29, 2015
Following his last arrest, said the stunt was an effective method of making a point.
He said to the Epsom Guardian earlier this month: "This goes to show that anyone can climb any building - I would encourage other people to do it, if they have a cause they’d like to draw attention to.
"If anyone wants to climb a roof I’ll happily provide a ladder and anything else they need.
"Chris Grayling can’t do anything because the police are taking no further action. And if he doesn’t like it he can always write to his MP."
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