A protester dressed as Santa Claus scaled the famous Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in central London on Sunday morning, in a dramatic demonstration by campaign group Fathers4Justice.
The incident began at approximately 9.35am when the man, wearing the traditional red and white Father Christmas outfit and carrying a large black rucksack, began climbing the Norwegian spruce.
Fathers4Justice confirmed one of their supporters was responsible for the protest stunt.
The protester was seen brandishing a poster featuring Sir Keir Starmer’s face with the message “Put the father back into Xmas.”
The demonstrator could reportedly be heard shouting “Keir Starmer has blood on his hands”
Perched on one of the tree’s branches, the demonstrator could reportedly be heard shouting that “Keir Starmer has blood on his hands,” according to LBC.
The protest has resulted in the temporary closure of Trafalgar Square, with Fathers4Justice announcing on social media: “A Fathers4Justice supporter dressed as Father Christmas has scaled the famous Trafalgar Square Christmas Tree in London.”
A Metropolitan Police spokesman told MailOnline: “At approximately 09:35hrs on Sunday, 15 December police were informed that a man had climbed up a Christmas tree in Trafalgar Square, WC2.”
“He remains up the tree and officers are on scene monitoring the situation,” the spokesman added.
Footage from the scene showed two police officers attempting to convince the protester to come down from the tree.
The demonstrator would have had to climb over protective fencing to access the tree.
The Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has been an annual gift from Norway since 1947, with this year’s tree being lit up on December 5.
The Norwegian spruce, sourced from Grefsenkleiva in Oslo’s Forest, stands approximately 20 metres high and is around 60 years old.
Fathers4Justice, founded by Matt O’Connor in 2001, has a history of high-profile protest stunts
This year’s tree has faced criticism on social media, with users describing it as ‘scrawny’ and ‘half-dead’.
One social media user wrote: “By the look of that tree in Trafalgar Square, you’d think London was trying to eliminate Christmas.”
Fathers4Justice, founded by Matt O’Connor in 2001, has a history of high-profile protest stunts to advocate for fathers’ rights.
The group was established after O’Connor was denied access to his two children, Daniel and Alexander, following his divorce.
Previous demonstrations have included scaling the Houses of Parliament and protesters chaining themselves to statues.
In a similar Christmas-themed protest some 20 years ago, four activists dressed as Santa Claus managed to close the Second Severn Crossing.
