7-1-05

Fathers 4 Justice stunt threat ‘dangerous and grossly insensitive’ – Barrett

John Barrett, Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today dubbed the Fathers 4 Justice threat of staging a stunt on the Forth Bridges as ‘dangerous’ in intent and ‘grossly insensitive’ in timing.
 
The father’s rights campaigners, already known for their stunts on Buckingham Palace and Westminster, have threatened to stage similar protests over the coming months. They admitted that they have both the Forth Road and Rail Bridges in their sights.
 
However, Forth Bridge officials have warned that such a protest could put other peoples’ lives at risk. Furthermore, the Fathers 4 Justice threat comes at a time when community and heritage groups are working to create a lasting memorial to the 57 men who lost their lives building the Forth Rail Bridge.
 
In a statement, Mr Barrett said:
 
“The fact is that any stunt by Fathers 4 Justice on either of the bridges would not only cause disruption but could put other people’s lives at risk. As if that is not bad enough, for the group to plan this kind of action at a time we are trying to get a lasting memorial to those who gave their lives building the Forth Rail Bridge, is grossly insensitive.
 
“The Bridge is without doubt one ofScotland’s most recognised landmarks. Thousands of workers risked their lives every day building it, hundreds were injured and over 50 were killed. A lot of people have been putting a lot of time into getting this permanent memorial. For Fathers 4 Justice to put more lives at risk now, because of a cheap publicity stunt is nothing less than an insult to that work and to those who perished.
 
“I have already raised with Network Rail the possible dangers arising from any attempted stunt on the rail bridge. However, in the event of a protest on either bridge, I would encourage local and national journalists not to report on it. By depriving the group of what it seeks, namely publicity, they might finally drop these dangerous protests, which risk their own and other people’s lives.”
 
ENDS