Fathers 4 Justice men face police

Jason Hatch dressed at Batman during his four-hour protest

Two Fathers 4 Justice campaigners will not face criminal charges over a protest at Buckingham Palace.

Jason Hatch, 32, and Dave Pyke, 49, both from Cheltenham, Glos, dressed as Batman and Robin for the stunt.

They answered bail on Tuesday and were told they would not be charged over the 13 September incident.

Mr Pyke has, however, been charged with a separate offence of having a bladed instrument on the day of the protest and will appear in court.

The case is listed to be heard by Bow Street magistrates on 15 December.

Both men had answered their police bail at Charing Cross police station, London, on Tuesday.

'Children are suffering'

Mr Hatch, a painter and decorator, had climbed 25ft to a ledge next to the palace's main balcony and spent four hours there while dressed as Batman.

Speaking outside the police station, he said the outcome in his case was the right one.

"The children are suffering and it was an appeal to Her Majesty to put the father back into Christmas," he said.

"We had no intentions to cause anybody distress or harm and all our stuff is non-violent. It's peaceful and I didn't hurt anybody."

The campaigner, who has been fighting for three and a half years for more access to his young son and daughter, said he believed the protest was worthwhile.

He said he is looking forward to seeing his children when they perform in their school play next week.

"That is something I have never had before," he said.

Lack of evidence

Inspector Ifor Griffiths said that "as a result of the investigation, and upon CPS advice", no further action would be taken against Mr Hatch.

A CPS spokeswoman said: "The offences we considered were public order offences, criminal damage, burglary, trespass and public nuisance.

"In each case there was clearly insufficient evidence."

Speaking about Mr Hatch's case, Norman Brennan, director of the Victims of Crime Trust, said: "This man could have put the security of our monarchy at risk - that there are no laws which can be used to prosecute him is barmy."

Mr Hatch had scaled the palace walls with a ladder and was eventually brought to the ground in a cherry picker after spending around four hours on the narrow ledge.

Afterwards, he claimed it was easier gaining access to the royal household than to his own children.