BRITAIN: A fathers' rights protester who scaled Buckingham Palace in a Batman costume to stage a five-hour protest, yesterday claimed it had been easier gaining access to the royal household than to his own children.
Mr Jason Hatch (32) was earlier released on police bail after he was arrested on suspicion of criminal damage in connection with Monday's daredevil stunt.
The Fathers 4 Justice campaigner, who used just a ladder to breach palace security, has been ordered to return to a central London police station in December.
He was brought to ground in a cherrypicker on Monday evening after spending the afternoon balanced on a narrow ledge.
Speaking outside Buckingham Palace following his release yesterday, the protester said: "The government has made activists of loving fathers. It was easier to get to the queen's balcony than it is to see my own children.
"I would do anything, literally anything, even die, to get to see my own children."
Mr Hatch was aided in his stunt by 48-year-old Mr Dave Pyke, of Cheltenham, who was dressed as Batman's sidekick Robin. Mr Pyke is accused of scaling the palace gates to distract police guarding the entrance and was also bailed yesterday following questioning over aiding and abetting a criminal act.
The two men left London's Charing Cross police station in the afternoon.
A Scotland Yard spokeswoman confirmed the pair had been bailed and added: "The 48-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of aiding and abetting and the 32-year-old on suspicion of criminal damage."
Criminal damage carries a maximum summary sentence of six months' imprisonment or a fine of up to £5,000, except if the case is tried in a Crown Court, where a sentence of 10 years can be imposed.
However, if the damage caused is below the value of £5,000 the maximum tariff is three months' imprisonment or a fine of up to £2,500.
Home Secretary Mr David Blunkett said he was "calm but not complacent" about the intrusion as an inquest into the breach of palace security continued.
Metropolitan Police commissioner Sir John Stevens has examined a report on the incident delivered yesterday morning and is expected to hold talks with the Palace's recently-appointed director of security liaison, Brigadier Jeff Cook. Sir John last night called for a change in the law to make it illegal to trespass on royal premises.
He also issued a warning to anyone planning a publicity stunt at buildings patrolled by armed police officers.
"If anyone was encouraged by yesterday's Batman stunt, think twice before you go ahead - you risk being shot."