Corbyn set to give evidence over custody protests – New Fathers 4 Justice

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn may be called to court as a witness after two fathers’ rights campaigners claim they had his permission to stage an all-day protest on his roof.

A police helicopter was scrambled after Bobby Smith, 34, and Martin Matthews, 49, scaled the politician’s home on August 5 as a stunt for the group #New Fathers 4 Justice.

Smith, a father-of-two who has not seen his daughters for five years, displayed a banner stating: ‘Give Me Back ELMO’ – a reference to his custody dispute.

He tweeted afterwards: ‘Point made, we are coming down from Jeremy Corbyns  roof. Thank you for all the support.’

The activist stood for election and amassed 37 votes when he took on David Cameron in last year’s General Election dressed as the Sesame Street character.

Mr Corbyn was not home at the time of the demonstration but may find himself called to court after Smith insisted he had permission to stage the protest.

Smith and Matthews indicated they will fight the case when they appeared at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court to face charges of aggravated trespass and deterring a person from engaging in lawful activity.

They spoke only to confirm their personal details in the brief hearing.

It is alleged that the pair’s presence on the roof prevented one of Mr Corbyn’s neighbours from sunbathing on her own terrace while another neighbour complained of being unable to get to work through the cordons.

The pair had to be talked down by a negotiator.

Prosecutor Michael Mallon told the hearing: ‘The defendant’s position is that they want to call Mr Corbyn as a witness.

‘He has not provided a statement and has not been called by the prosecution.

‘Whilst this may be sent to Westminster as a special jurisdiction case, the position may well be that he never in fact provides a statement and never provides an account for the defence.

‘I think, although he might not actually become a witness for the prosecution, I think because of the sensitivity and the fact he is a local MP as well for the area so it would not be in the interest of justice that a matter be tried in the jurisdiction of the local MP.’

Magistrate Mervyn Mandell told the pair at the end of the five-minute hearing: ‘As you have heard, because of the issues in this case we are transferring the matter to the Westminster Magistrates’ Court.

‘So, your appearance back there will be next Wednesday 14 September.’

Smith, of Anderson Road, Stevenage, and Matthews, of Middlemead Road, Bookham, were both bailed to appear at Westminster Magistrates’ Court next Wednesday.

The pair must not enter Mr Corbyn’s street as a condition of that bail while a second condition barring Matthews from contacting Smith was lifted.

Ends

Memo

Smith claimed afterwards that he is due at Westminster Magistrates’ Court on 20 October to face separate allegations he climbed onto the Buckingham Palace roof.

 

Watch “Justice” on YouTube

A short film by Richard Oliver and Simon Bugg about the struggles two fathers face dealing with being separated from their children.

New Fathers 4 Justice

Stevenage fathers’ rights activist sets sights on MP and borough council jobs after Boris Johnson stunt

New Fathers 4 Justice activist Bobby Smith took his campaign to the door of London mayor Boris Johnson.

A fathers’ rights activist who caused a security breach at Buckingham Palace in November is planning to stand for election as an MP or borough councillor.

New Fathers 4 Justice activist Bobby Smith scaled the roof of Chris Grayling’s home, leader of the House of Commons, in his fight for equal rights.

Bobby Smith of Anderson Road, Stevenage has been campaigning for a change to family law, claiming he has been treated unfairly by the courts and denied proper access to his two daughters since 2010.

His latest stunt was to hold a protest outside London mayor Boris Johnson’s home in March. At the time, the New Fathers 4 Justice activist said: “Boris is in, but he’s being a bit shy. I’ve posted something for him to read. I’ll just keep coming back until he’s ready to talk. He’ll give in before I do.”

Bobby, 34, is planning to stand for election in the hope of becoming either an MP or a councillor in a bid to change the British justice system.

He’s climbed onto the roofs of many public buildings – including using a ladder to climb onto the roof of Buckingham Palace and scaling the home of House of Commons leader Chris Grayling – in a bid to get his voice heard.

Now he plans to stand for election to Stevenage Borough Council in May, as well as for an MP in a by-election for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough seat triggered by the death of the constituency MP.

He says his manifesto will outline three main objectives – to give equal rights to fathers in divorce and separation proceedings, to give grandparents a legal standing, and to reform the family courts.

Bobby, who has adopted Muppet Elmo as his mascot because of a pet name he has for his children, stood against Prime Minister David Cameron at the the general election last year.

He said: “It’s no good sitting at home getting depressed and getting upset at how much you miss your kids. You need to stand up and not accept what has happened.There’s no equality for fathers in family law. I want nothing less than a legal presumption of equal contact for a child with their parents if they split up.”

http://www.thecomet.net/news/stevenage_fathers_rights_activist_sets_sights_on_mp_and_borough_council_jobs_after_boris_johnson_stunt_1_4480296

Father’s rights activist attempts to climb Sheffield Starflyer dressed as Elmo

A candidate for the upcoming Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough by-election had to be prevented from scaling a new Sheffield attraction yesterday afternoon.

‘New Fathers 4 Justice’ activist, Bobby Smith, was apprehended by ride staff as he attempted to climb the ladder at the centre of the 220ft Sheffield Starflyer.

Bobby Smith said: “I went to hand my nominations in today, and found the Star next to the town hall. So Elmo tried to climb it – but I was stopped at the last minute”

“The lack of justice and equality for fathers to see their children is one of the biggest social scandals of our time. We want a legal presumption of equal contact for a child with their parents if they split up.”

His polices include using Sheffield steel to build London’s new airport runway near David Cameron’s constituency of Witney, where he stood last year for the ‘Give me back Elmo’ party.

Last week over 25 Labour party activists were left disappointed after Jeremy Corbyn cancelled a meet and greet at the Sheffield Brightside Labour office due to Bobby protesting outside as Elmo.

The splinter group ‘New Fathers 4 Justice’ is not associated with Matt O’Connor or Fathers4Justice UK.

http://www.sheff.eu/post/142208533932/fathers-rights-activist-attempts-to-climb

It’s official – Elmo becomes Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough election candidate

Good on Bobby Smith for standing as a candidate not only in his own area but has paid to stand in The Sheffield by-election on May 5th 2016.

When it comes to your children knowing that you love and want them nothing is a waste of time, money or effort. Any publicity for your children to see the truth is great.

If people are still in their areas you should all go and stand in your local elections, it is free, you only need 10 signatures off people who live in the area, who are registered to vote. This is free publicity to get in your local paper and raise awareness of the corrupt secret family court and share a bit of your story for your children to see the truth.

It takes more than one person to raise awareness of secret family courts. And nothing will change if more people do not get out their.

But most importantly anything you get publicity for will be a great comfort to your children no matter how old they are.

May 5 date confirmed for Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough by-election

The Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough parliamentary by-election will take place on May 5, it has been confirmed.

The election, brought about by the death of Labour MP Harry Harpham earlier this year, will co-incide with local elections and police and crime commissioner elections.

Candidates so far confirmed include Spencer Pitfield from the Conservatives, Bobby Smith for the Give Me Back Elmo party, Christine Gilligan Kubo from the Green Party, Gill Furniss from Labour, Shaffaq Mohammed from the Lib Dems and Steven Winstone from UKIP. Nominations close on April 7.

To vote in the May 5 elections, people need to register by April 18. Register online at www.gov.uk or contact Sheffield Council and ask them to send a postal form.

A list of polling stations can be found at www.sheffield.gov.uk.

Read more: http://www.thestar.co.uk/news/may-5-date-confirmed-for-sheffield-brightside-and-hillsborough-by-election-1-7823693#ixzz44fyhmNn9

Give Me Back Elmo & New Fathers 4 Justice make a stand in Sheffield! 2016 Brightside and Hillsborough by election.

Following on from my crushing defeat in the May 2015 general election at the hands of The Prime Minister David Cameron in Witney I have decided to give it another go with the full backing of New Fathers 4 Justice and Stop The War On Dads.

I will be standing as a candidate in the Sheffield Brightside and Hillsborough by election which will be held on may the 5th 2016.

Jeremy Corbyn has already been made aware that families will have a voice in this election and as a result cancelled a meet and greet with Labour activists in Sheffield on March the 24th due to myself, Samantha Johnson and Darryn Thurtle campaigning for the Give Me Back Elmo party outside of the Southey Green campaign HQ on the day.

I will also be standing as a local councillor for the party for the Chells ward in Stevenage, also to be held on the 5th of May 2016.

Bromsgrove dad raises awareness of father’s rights

A DAD from Bromsgrove who campaigns to raise awareness of fathers’ rights camped outside the home of the president of the Family Division Sir James Munby on Mother’s Day.

Darren Lock from Stop the War on Dads said: “We are not going away because we only have another week of misery ahead with no change to the family courts.”

Darren said legal procedures had meant he lost his two-year battle to see his children, following the breakdown of a 12-year marriage.

He added Sir James Munby had admitted publicly the legal system was failing fathers but, despite that, had done nothing to rectify the situation.

As well as Darren and other campaigners from Stop the War on Dads, protestors from ‘New Fathers 4 Justice’ including one dressed as the Honey Monster surrounded Sir James’ thatched house in Wiltshere.

Neither Stop the War on Dads or the New Fathers for Justice are associated with Fathers4Justice UK.

“We have a legal system that is utterly out of touch with the way we live now in a world where mothers work and dads change nappies, push buggies and spend hours cuddling their children in exactly the same way that good mothers do.

“We must speak out about the injustice within the family courts and together we must unite to challenge the Governments policies to create the momentum necessary to bring about meaningful change,” said Mr Lock.

Bromsgrove dad raises awareness of father’s rights