Spiderman ends crane protest

A man who caused road closures and huge disruption in central London after spending six days up a crane dressed as Spiderman has abandoned his protest today.

Police negotiators had feared for David Chick's safety on the 100ft crane and made several attempts to talk him down.

At a press conference today Matt O'Connor, spokesman for Fathers 4 Justice, said the 36-year-old father of one would begin his descent at 4pm.

Roads surrounding Tower Bridge were closed for the first five days of the protest amid fears the crane would become unstable in strong winds.

Last night when it became apparent he had brought along plenty of food and water supplies and was not intending a suicide bid, Scotland Yard decided to reopen the roads.

Mr Chick staged the protest to highlight the plight of fathers who are refused access to their children.

Fathers 4 Justice said Mr Chick was protesting after being refused the right to see his four-year-old daughter Lauren.

It is believed he was awarded a court order to see the child but had been refused access by the child's mother over the last eight months.

London Mayor Ken Livingstone has been heavily critical of Mr Chick's actions.
He said: "He is amply demonstrating why women don't always feel they want their partners to have access to their children."

Richard Barnes, deputy chairman of the Metropolitan Police Authority, said policing the protest cost around £10,000 a day - a cost the public should not have to bear.

"I would like him to receive a bill afterwards. If we can charge David Blaine we can charge him as well," he said yesterday.

Crowds began to gather near the foot of the crane preparing for Mr Chick's descent.

Despite negative publicity, a number of motorists beeped their horns in support.
Dino Mahoney, of Bloomsbury, central London, said he had lost contact with his daughter Clare, 19, and understood Mr Chick's actions.

"I really, really, really know where he's coming from. I really sympathise with
him.

"I understand the inconvenience the traffic problems have caused to Londoners, but sometimes people are so desperate.

"I know how desperate you have to be to do something like this. Fathers love their children just as much as mothers. It's a horrible situation."