Tony Blair flour attack
On 19 May 2004, two members of the Fathers 4 Justice organisation threw two condoms filled with purple-dyed flour at Tony Blair during Prime Minister's Questions. Two men, aged 36 and 50, had claimed responsibility and were subsequently arrested.[1] One of the men, Ron Davies, said that the attack was in response to Blair's failure to contact him personally about a legal case, which he had discussed with the Prime Minister on LBC earlier that year.[2][3]
Attack[edit]
The condoms were thrown at Tony Blair, at around 12:18 pm, while he was responding to the Leader of the Opposition, Michael Howard. The first condom landed near Blair's feet and the second hit his back. Immediately after the assault, Speaker of the House of Commons Michael Martin abruptly adjourned the sitting and ordered all MPs to leave the chamber.[4]
Although the objects were meant to target Tony Blair, the powder had also showered upon Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott and Chancellor of the Exchequer Gordon Brown, who were sitting next to Blair, as well as members sitting on the backbenches.[5]
Reaction[edit]
In the aftermath, there was immediate concern that the powder used was a harmful substance, although authorities had later found it to be safe.
The incident happened despite a £600,000 security screen that had been erected a month prior and led to calls for improved security at Westminster. Home Secretary David Blunkett confirmed the incident would lead to "even greater restrictions" for public access to the Visitors' Gallery.[5]
Baroness Golding, a member of the House of Lords, apologised in a statement later that day, after it was revealed that the two protesters who had caused the disruption were there on her behalf.[6]
References[edit]
- ↑ "Blair hit during Commons protest". 19 May 2004. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ↑ Womack, Sarah (20 May 2004). "Estranged father confronted Prime Minister during a radio phone-in". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ↑ Jackson, Andy (19 May 2016). "May 19, 2004: Dads' group hits Tony Blair with purple flour during Prime Minister's Questions". BT.com. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ↑ "BBC ON THIS DAY | 19 | 2004: Angry dads hit Blair with purple flour". BBC News. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Tempest, Matthew (19 May 2004). "Missile hits Blair during question time". Retrieved 16 June 2021.
- ↑ "Personal Statement: The Baroness Golding". hansard.parliament.uk. Retrieved 16 June 2021.
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