A CAMPAIGNER for equal rights between parents has died in hospital after he was found hanging in a prison cell.

Haydn Burton, 42, was discovered by prison officers at Winchester Jail and rushed by ambulance across Romsey Road to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital where he later died.

Mr Burton was a member of New Fathers 4 Justice and was campaigning to highlight children’s rights including secret family courts.

He had become a well-known figure in Winchester city centre in recent months protesting at the corner of Upper Brook Street and St George’s Street in a Superman costume and with an loud hailer.

He also protested outside Southampton Civic Centre and during the General Election at prime minister David Cameron’s constituency in Witney.

The Central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short has been informed of his death and an inquest was due to be opened this week.

Mr Burton, formerly of Wolfe Close, Stanmore, was being held on remand at the prison facing an allegation of assault.

He was also due to be sentenced at crown court for possession of an offensive weapon, criminal damage to a police cell, and breach of a criminal behaviour order by being anti-social.

A Prison Service spokesperson said: “HMP Winchester prisoner Haydn Burton was pronounced dead at approximately 5.25 am on Saturday, July 18 at an outside hospital. Next of kin have been notified.

“As with all deaths in custody there will be an investigation by the independent Prisons and Probations Ombudsman,” he added.

A spokeswoman for the South Central Ambulance Service, added: “We were called at 10.01am on Wednesday to a medical emergency on Romsey Road, Winchester.

"We sent one ambulance crew and a rapid response vehicle to the scene.

“We conveyed one patient in a serious condition to Royal Hampshire County Hospital for further treatment.”

A statement on the New Fathers 4 Justice website said: “We are deeply shocked and saddened by this news.

“Putting vulnerable people in prison is, in part, further victimising people who are in most need.”

While Archi Ssan, from the campaign group, paid tribute to Mr Burton, adding: “There can be no doubt that Haydn, throughout all his many efforts and campaigning, displayed intelligence, awareness, compassion and a total commitment in an unselfish way, in order to totally expose the corruption and prejudice affecting all of society's children, rather than his personal well being."

“My admiration for this wonderful activist, who so cares for the cries of children, is only matched by my sadness for the current situation."