Father feels let down by PM pledge

Today's stunt involved a 44-year-old father of two from Sussex who has not seen his two children for three years, according to Fathers 4 Justice.

Matt O'Connor, the group's founder, said: "Ron Davies has not been allowed to see his children (aged nine and 13). He spoke to the Prime Minister on an LBC phone-in about two and a half months ago. He was made promises by the Prime Minister, which were subsequently reneged upon in a letter to him."

Mr O'Connor said Mr Davies had not seen his children due to "untrue allegations" by his ex-wife. The group said it would step up its campaign until Father's Day, 18 June.

The stunt brings powerful publicity to a group motivated by a burning sense of injustice.

It was founded in December 2002 by Mr O'Connor, a divorced father frustrated at a lack of access to his young sons. Last year, fathers took to the streets demanding courts enforce children's right to a "meaningful, loving relationship with their fathers after divorce".

Campaigners ensured their organisationreceived high-profile coverage by staging bizarre stunts. In February, fathers dressed as Batman and Robin, Superman and Spider-Man staged a campaign of civil disobedience on bridges and road gantries.

In October, David Chick dressed as Spider-Man and climbed to the top of a crane near Tower Bridge in protest at lack of access to his four-year-old daughter.

The group's best known supporter is Bob Geldof, who believes the solution is a "presumption that the children, where possible, will live with the father 50 per cent of the time".