Simon Watson - Log on to get justice for dads

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Simon Watson - Log on to get justice for dads

Norwich Evening News 24

Simon Watson, who plans to set up a website for fathers who have been denied access to their children.Simon Watson, who plans to set up a website for fathers who have been denied access to their children.
DAVID BALE 24 May 2006

A father who has not seen his nine-year-old daughter for nearly a year has set up a less antagonistic form of the controversial Fathers 4 Justice group to call for a change to the law.

Simon Watson said he has not been allowed to see his daughter because his ex-wife said the child does not want to see him.

As the law stands at the moment he has no rights to change that unless he goes to court and spends up to £5,000 to get a court order to get access rights to see his child, he said.

While he agrees with the aims of the Fathers 4 Justice group, which staged a comeback by disrupting the National Lottery draw on Saturday night, he said they give fathers a bad name with their stunts.

He said their cause would be better served through persuasion and consultation rather than through hostility and violence.

The 36-year-old, from Reepham Road, Hellesdon, is planning to launch a website for fathers to contact him and wants to present a petition signed by like-minded fathers to the House of Commons calling for action.

He said: “I started the group because I want to see my child and there are hundreds of other men in the same situation.

“We are a non-violent group wanting our story to be heard.

“We want to be more peaceful than Fathers 4 Justice. They attracted the wrong sort of press and people got on the bandwagon. I always think words can be a lot stronger than actions.

“I'm trying to set up a group of fathers who have, through no fault of their own, lost touch with their children. These are genuine people from stable backgrounds who have been denied access to their children.

“We want to come up with a plan to speak to Norfolk MPs and go to Downing Street, because the law has got to change.”

Mr Watson, who is a retail manager at Sainsbury's in Queens Road, Norwich, split from his ex-wife, whom he does not want to be named, eight years ago, when his daughter was one.

He's now married again with two stepchildren.

Fathers 4 Justice was founded in December 2002, and stirred up controversy through action such as dressing up as superheroes.

The group appeared to have disbanded in January after some of its members were accused of allegedly plotting to kidnap Prime Minister Tony Blair's youngest son, Leo.

But the group made a dramatic return when BBC's National Lottery show was briefly delayed after protesters invaded the studio and chanted slogans.

Fathers who want to get together and join Mr Walton's group should email Watsonsimon35@aol.com

Do you have a story about your battle to see your children? Telephone Evening News reporter David Bale on (01603) 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk
 

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