The Times January 18, 2006
Tony Blair kisses his baby son, Leo, in 2001
Police foil plot to kidnap Blair's son
By Ian Evans
SECURITY agents have thwarted an attempt to kidnap Tony Blair’s five-year-old son, Leo.
Extremists from a splinter group linked to the Fathers 4 Justice pressure group planned to abduct the child as a publicity stunt to highlight its cause. But Special Branch officers intercepted the plot before Christmas.
Police sources said last night that the kidnap plan was one of many being discussed by the splinter group but emphasised that it was at an early planning stage.
No details were given of the plot, but it is thought that the group was planning to hold Leo for only a short period and was not planning to hurt him.
Downing Street last night refused to comment on the plot but a security source told The Sun: “They were naturally very concerned, as any parent would be. But they have been assured the police are on top of the situation.”
Police have since carried out a security appraisal of the protection given to the Blairs and their other children, Euan, 21, Nicholas, 20, and Kathryn, 17.
The source added: “Fortunately we think we nipped this in the bud. There have been no arrests, although inquiries are continuing. It was good intelligence work.”
Fathers 4 Justice was set up by Matt O’Connor after he found it difficult to see his two sons after a bitter divorce.
Mr O’Connor said last night: “There’s evidence to support the fact that there was something going on, because SO13 officers [the Met’s anti-terrorist unit] had visited some ex-members of the organisation over the Christmas period. That had set alarm bells ringing.” But he insisted that they did not know the precise nature of the perceived plot.
He added that the organisation condemned the idea of kidnapping “unreservedly”. “We do peaceful direct action with a dash of humour. We’re in the business of uniting dads with their kids, not separating them,” he said. “We have to consider the future of the organisation if our name is being associated with such actions.
“There are some ex members who we turfed out last year. We had a bit of a clear-out in May of people who wanted to take the organisation on a more militant route.
“Other people wanted to go to the dark underbelly of the campaign. It’s been a cause for concern for us for some time.”
Fathers 4 Justice claims that the family courts favour mothers in custody cases, leaving fathers with limited or no contact at all.
To highlight their cause, members have carried out a series of high-profile stunts, from scaling Buckingham Palace walls to climbing cranes, motorway gantries and churches, unfurling banners and dressed usually in superhero costumes.
Their most controversial stunt was to throw purple paint at Mr Blair in the House of Commons in May 2004, prompting a security review.
thetimesonline.co.uk
Tony Blair kisses his baby son, Leo, in 2001
Police foil plot to kidnap Blair's son
By Ian Evans
SECURITY agents have thwarted an attempt to kidnap Tony Blair’s five-year-old son, Leo.
Extremists from a splinter group linked to the Fathers 4 Justice pressure group planned to abduct the child as a publicity stunt to highlight its cause. But Special Branch officers intercepted the plot before Christmas.
Police sources said last night that the kidnap plan was one of many being discussed by the splinter group but emphasised that it was at an early planning stage.
No details were given of the plot, but it is thought that the group was planning to hold Leo for only a short period and was not planning to hurt him.
Downing Street last night refused to comment on the plot but a security source told The Sun: “They were naturally very concerned, as any parent would be. But they have been assured the police are on top of the situation.”
Police have since carried out a security appraisal of the protection given to the Blairs and their other children, Euan, 21, Nicholas, 20, and Kathryn, 17.
The source added: “Fortunately we think we nipped this in the bud. There have been no arrests, although inquiries are continuing. It was good intelligence work.”
Fathers 4 Justice was set up by Matt O’Connor after he found it difficult to see his two sons after a bitter divorce.
Mr O’Connor said last night: “There’s evidence to support the fact that there was something going on, because SO13 officers [the Met’s anti-terrorist unit] had visited some ex-members of the organisation over the Christmas period. That had set alarm bells ringing.” But he insisted that they did not know the precise nature of the perceived plot.
He added that the organisation condemned the idea of kidnapping “unreservedly”. “We do peaceful direct action with a dash of humour. We’re in the business of uniting dads with their kids, not separating them,” he said. “We have to consider the future of the organisation if our name is being associated with such actions.
“There are some ex members who we turfed out last year. We had a bit of a clear-out in May of people who wanted to take the organisation on a more militant route.
“Other people wanted to go to the dark underbelly of the campaign. It’s been a cause for concern for us for some time.”
Fathers 4 Justice claims that the family courts favour mothers in custody cases, leaving fathers with limited or no contact at all.
To highlight their cause, members have carried out a series of high-profile stunts, from scaling Buckingham Palace walls to climbing cranes, motorway gantries and churches, unfurling banners and dressed usually in superhero costumes.
Their most controversial stunt was to throw purple paint at Mr Blair in the House of Commons in May 2004, prompting a security review.
thetimesonline.co.uk