Academic Prof Colin Blakemore has told how his depressed wife threatened to slash her wrists during a 12-year hate campaign conducted by animal rights activists.

Research work done by Prof Blakemore, 54, Oxford University's Waynflete professor of Physiology, involves tests on animals - and for years his north Oxford home has been targeted by demonstrators.

His three daughters, Sarah, 24, Sophie, 22, and Jessica, 20, have been threatened with kidnap, and two bombs have been delivered to his home.

Earlier this year, when the jailed anti-vivisectionist Barry Horne threatened to starve himself to death, the Animal Rights Militia issued a 'fatwa' against him. If Horne died then Blakemore would be assassinated.

Prof Blakemore has revealed that his wife Andree, also 54, whom he met at school when they were both 15, is often depressed and sometimes suicidal. On one occasion, Prof Blakemore was leaving the house for a meeting and Andree came to the top of the stairs with a razor blade in her hand.

Prof Blakemore said: "I thought she was just going to say goodbye but she said: 'Look', and I could see a razor blade in her hand, poised at her wrist. It was utterly shocking.

Prof Blakemore added that Andree despaired at other moments, including the time when she was pregnant and an anonymous animal rights campaigner telephoned to say he hoped her baby would be born blind.

A year ago, Andree looked on helplessly as balaclava-clad vigilantes tried to break down her front door with a stone block.

Story date: Monday 03 May

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