Superhero dad in protest against "unfair" family laws
A REAL Fathers For Justice campaigner from Cheltenham was among a group of men who staged a protest at the homes of Justice Secretary Ken Clarke.
Around 25 fathers, dressed in superhero costumes, converged on Mr Clarke's London and Nottingham properties to voice their anger at what they claim are unfair parenting laws.
Adrian Phelps, from St Paul's, has won the right to see his two children, aged five and seven, following a five-year battle.
The 25-year-old was among campaigners with the Real Fathers For Justice as they made their stand on Saturday.
Mr Phelps, who wore a Wolverine costume, said: "The protest was a big success. We went to Ken Clarke's Nottingham home but sent some people down to London as well.
"It was a peaceful protest and the police were present. But when they went on their coffee break the chance arose to climb up on to the roofs, which some of our members did.
"It's our way of making sure Ken Clarke sits up and take notice. The law has been weighted against fathers for too long."
Real Fathers For Justice campaigners are known for dressing up as superheroes while taking part in high-profile protests.
Members of the lobbying group claim they have been let down by the recent family law review, which falls under Mr Clarke's remit.
They want fathers' rights to be the same as those of mothers in legal custody battles.
Mr Phelps, added that he planned to continue fighting for the cause.
He added: "To many children, the superhero figure in their lives is their father.
"I may have won my battle but it took me five years. I will carry on fighting to ensure my sons don't go through the same thing one day."
Fellow campaigners hailed the protest as a success on the group's Facebook site.
Mr Clarke's office declined to comment.
5 Comments
by Daveyone
Monday, February 06 2012, 11:26AM
“Family Justice needs urgent root and branch Reform NOW!
http://tinyurl.com/8ynkssw”
by Ms_Superstar
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 10:17PM
“Did I say something out of place?
I can't think what it could have been.”
by Ms_Superstar
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 10:12PM
“A valid point, well made.
Fifty years ago, when fathers were traditionally the breadwinners and mothers stayed at home and raised their children, it made sense for the law to favour mothers in custody disputes.
However, now that mothers often work just as many hours as fathers (necessitated in a lot of cases by the astronomical rise in housing costs - perhaps fuelled by couples having greater joint incomes than previously) and demand free or subsidised childcare as of right, it no longer makes sense for the law to assume that mothers are any better able than fathers to raise their children.
Indeed, some experts have blamed the lack of a father figure in single-parent families for the social dificulties faced by the youth of today.
Just my two-penn'orth...”
by SurferSilver
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 10:01PM
“Well Mr Clarke no comment seems to sum it up until the likes of the fathers protest groups are listened to rather than those that are making money out of the current status quo with there merc and BMW's there will be even more disturb children grwoing up in to angry people.
for it is good to talk.
Bad laws are broken by good people.
good laws are broken by bad people.
Every wondered why murderers and peodo's are not given life yet children , fathers and extended families of the fathers are given a life sentence for being
GUITLY OF LOVE IN THE FIRST DEGREEE.
Silver Surfer”
by gareth68
Tuesday, January 31 2012, 10:00PM
“Time to sort out the secretive Family (Gender Bias) Courts”