Two fathers protesting at lack of rights over their children disrupted the British Parliament on Wednesday by throwing two missiles containing purple powder, one of which hit Tony Blair as he was responding to questions.
The protest by members of Fathers 4 Justice led Speaker Michael Martin to suspend the sitting immediately, although it resumed after about an hour after the powder was found to be harmless.
Security experts and MPs immediately began speculating on possible outcomes if the missiles had contained toxins.
Commons leader Peter Hain said: ”This was a serious incident. I have asked for an immediate report on the circumstances and what additional security provisions may be necessary.”
Police sources said they believed the powder thrown into the chamber was coloured flour. Members were seen dusting the powder from their clothes.
One man hurled the powder into the chamber from the public gallery, while another held up a poster. Both shouted inaudibly before being dragged away by security staff.
Three police officers there donned nuclear biological and chemical warfare protection suits as the men were being questioned.
The incident came weeks after a glass security screen was installed in the Commons.
Fathers 4 Justice claimed responsibility, with a spokesperson saying two men had made their protest in the run-up to Father’s Day on June 20, demanding equal rights for fathers.
They used purple ”because purple is the international colour for equality”, the spokesperson said.
At the time of the protest, Blair was responding to an attack from Conservative Party leader Michael Howard, who had suggested senior members of his Cabinet were plotting to remove the prime minister as disquiet within the ruling Labour Party over the Iraq crisis grows.
Among special guests in the public gallery at the time was a delegation from the Palestinian legislative council, who had earlier been welcomed by Blair. — Sapa-DPA