THE founder of the Fathers 4 Justice campaign announced last night that he was disbanding the group after a police investigation into an alleged plot by an extremist splinter group to kidnap the Prime Minister’s five-year-old son.

Special Branch officers were tipped off to a possible threat to Leo Blair some weeks ago.

Matt O’Connor, the founder of the organisation, said that he was halting the campaign because “extremist elements” were undermining it.

The plan to kidnap Leo was hatched by four Fathers 4 Justice campaigners, dressed in Father Christmas outfits, sitting in the Ye Olde London pub near St Paul’s Cathedral, after a march last month.

The four were unaware that Special Branch officers were investigating extreme elements of the group and the plot was thwarted in its earliest stages.

Graham Manson from the Real Fathers For Justice splinter group, said: “They were told by SO12 officers that they knew what they were up to and that they would be shot if they tried to carry out their plan.”

Mr O’Connor said: “I regret to say that three years after starting the organisation, we are going to bring the organisation to a close purely on the basis of what has happened today.

“If we are going to go on down this road with extremist elements they are going to undermine and erode the very good work we have done.”

Mr O’Connor, who said that he had expelled 30 extremists last year, added: “We started out to change this country and failed.” Asked about the alleged plot, he said: “After peacefully campaigning for three years to ensure children get to see their fathers, we condemn any individual who planned this appalling outrage.”

Denying claims that he had tipped off the police to get publicity, he said that he asked all fathers to respect “our commitment to peaceful, non-violent direct action, no matter how aggrieved they feel”.

Terence Bates, a member of the Real Fathers For Justice, said that their campaign would continue and described reports of the plot as “absolute nonsense”. Jeff Skinner, another member, said he had heard that the plot was based on a conversation held in a London pub. He said: “I believe it was only pub chat and there was never any plot to do this.”

Police sources said yesterday that Special Branch officers picked up intelligence a few weeks before Christmas that extremists might target Leo Blair.

An informant is said to have tipped them off that campaigners had discussed what kind of stunt would get them back on the front pages and the idea of seizing the child was raised.

There was no plan to harm the boy or demand any sort of ransom but to draw attention to the campaign and return him after a short period.

Although the idea seemed far-fetched and no more than a discussion, Scotland Yard launched an investigation and carried out a number of raids. Special Branch assessed the group’s capabilities and the feasibility of any attempt to snatch Leo Blair.

They also alerted the protection team which covers the Prime Minister and his family. Downing Street was told of the operation and security for the Blair family was reviewed.

The assessments showed, however, that the idea was little more than hot air. One Scotland Yard source said: “This is a bird that would never have flown.” Special Branch officers quietly visited the men who had discussed the idea and made it clear that if the discussions went any further they would face trouble.

SUPERHEROES AND FLOUR BOMBS

December 2002 Fathers 4 Justice stages its first demonstration

November 2003 David Chick mounts crane-top vigil at Tower Bridge after being denied access to daughter

February 2004 Four men, dressed as Batman, Robin, Superman and Spiderman, scale Clifton Suspension Bridge demanding right to see their children

May 2004 Tony Blair is hit by purple flour thrown by two protesters from the Commons gallery

September 2004 Jason Hatch climbs on to the front of Buckingham Palace

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