Posted on 05/19/2004 6:27:31 AM PDT by areafiftyone
Two men have been arrested after an amazing security breach in the House of Commons saw Tony Blair hit in the back by a missile containing a purple substance.
MPs were showered by purple powder - later found to be coloured cornflour - which was hurled from a reserved area of the public gallery.
No one was injured in the incident although Chancellor Gordon Brown also appeared to be struck by a similar missile.
Health Secretary Dr John Reid reportedly breathed in a "lungfull" of the powder.
Campaigning group Fathers 4 Justice - who demand equal rights for fathers - have claimed responsibility for the protest.
A spokesman for the group said purple powder was used because purple is the international colour for equality.
The two men believed to be behind the attack were in an area reserved for guests who have to be signed in and vouched for by a peer or MP.
Speaker Michael Martin said the person responsible for signing in the men - believed to be Labour peer Baroness Lynn Golding - had until the end of the day to explain the incident.
It is a huge embarrassment for parliamentary security - coming soon after a £600,000 security screen was installed in the public gallery.
The front three rows of the gallery - usually occupied by peers and distinguished guests - are outside the screen.
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."
Mr Blair briefly continued speaking after being struck before Speaker Michael Martin swiftly suspended the sitting.
Prime Minister's questions were later abandoned.
The powder was thrown from the corner of the public gallery, with the protester rushing forward to the railings to hurl it into the chamber.
His fellow protester then held up a poster - which was impossible to read from the chamber.
Commons doorkeepers rushed to restrain the men, but one continued hurling the powder for several seconds.
The two were then dragged away to be taken to cells.
More follows...
Purple cornmeal? Maybe blue?
La Raza contemplating invading Britain?
Maybe their next project can be to start an organization called 'Fathers 4 Conjugal Visits'.
O M G ... That should never have happen
What if it was a bio weapon??
Which is a public gallery no more, I should think.
Corn FLOUR?! Out in the sticks we throw corn pone and hardtack!
OHhh...where was the SECURITY???
Who knew?
Q. What is the name of the blonde lady with one leg shorter than the other?
A. Eileen
Q. What is the name of the Japanese lady with one leg shorter than other?
A. Irene!
</cheapshot ethnic humor> <~~ Sorry couldn't help myself!
We now return you to the Tony Blair and purple cornflour story...
"purple is the international colour for equality"
Mmmmmm, pancakes made with purple equality flour! Aghghghghghgh!
Only a Euroweenie would know that. Probably the whole Idea of that color was made up in Europe.
LOL!
...and a fat lot of good they did their cause today.
Security for elected officials is way overblown. For heads of state, sure. There is a history of high profile assasination that long predates all the modern terror hysteria. But what would the be impact of any other element of government getting deleted by an act of terror? Of course, any killing is tragic, but what other part of government deserves any more protection than a citizen?
Who knew?
I had heard, years ago, that purple was the international color of homosexuality
I was going to knit a sweater for an old boy friend, had bought, what I thought, was a masculine purple shaded yarn. It was a no-go. He was a former Air Force man & had travelled a bit and he liked my knitting.
BUMP!
Oops!
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