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Blair Hit by Purple Powder in House of Commons 19.05.04 (BBC2 NewsNight / BBCNews24) close X Blair Hit by Purple Powder in House of Commons Matthew Tempest, political correspondent The Guardian Wednesday May 19, 2004 Tony Blair was hit between the shoulders by a missile thrown by protestors during prime minister's questions today - forcing the Commons chamber to be abandoned. Two objects which appeared to contain purple powder were thrown, the first landing behind Mr Blair and the second hitting him in the back. Reporters present in the chamber at the time said the prime minister "visibly blanched" as he was struck. Mr Blair left the chamber with a purple stain on his suit, while the chamber descend into pandemonium. MPs fanned papers and security officials pointed to the culprits in the west gallery. The incident happened at 12.18pm, and the Speaker immediately suspended proceedings. A bulletproof glass screen has only just been installed as an anti-terrorism measure between the public gallery and the MPs. However, the press gallery and the side gallery - open to visiting dignatories and peers - are still open. Early reports from reporters in the press gallery said the powder bombs were thrown by two men in suits protesting about father's rights. Sources suggest that the two men were signed into the peers guest corner of the gallery by Lady Golding, former Labour MP for Newcastle under Lyme. As Lynne Golding she succeeded her husband, John, as the local MP. Twenty minutes after the attack, the group Fathers 4 Justice claimed responsibility for today's protest. Mr Blair's official spokesman said the powder was being checked to make sure it was innocuous. The chamber of the house was also being searched. The spokesman said: "The prime minister is perfectly happy to go back in and resume PMQs but the advice from the house is they want to check the chamber and he fully respects the Speaker's position on that." Asked if the powder had been analysed, the spokesman said: "All that is being checked." There was no indication of when the Commons sitting would be resumed or if question time would continue. The powder not only hit Mr Blair but appeared to splatter around him and colleagues on the front bench, the deputy prime minister, John Prescott, and the chancellor, Gordon Brown. The leader of the Commons, Peter Hain, told the Press Association: "This was a serious incident. I have asked for an immediate report on the circumstances and what additional security provisions may be necessary." Among the VIPs in the public gallery at the time of the incident was a delegation from the Palestinian legislative council, who had earlier been welcomed by Mr Blair. A spokesman for the group said two men had made their protest in the run-up to Father's Day on June 20, demanding equal rights for fathers. Purple powder was used because "purple is the international colour for equality", the spokesman said. Around 10 minutes of PMQs was left when the attack occurred. A decision has yet to be made on whether and when the Commons will resume.

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