Mark Field a Foreign Office minister has come under fire after he physically removed a female Greenpeace activist by the neck from a dinner at Mansion House.
Video footage has emerged that shows Field pushing the woman against a column then holding her by the back of the neck and he forcefully walked her out of the dinner room.
Conservative MP Sir Peter Bottomley told the Press Association that he had done nothing wrong.
The Greenpeace protester dressed in a red dress peacefully interrupted the black-tie dinner where Philip Hammond was giving a speech.
Instead of assaulting peaceful women protesters, @MarkFieldUK would be better off spending his time tackling the #ClimateEmergency. https://t.co/ribmL0w7OE
— Greenpeace UK (@GreenpeaceUK) June 20, 2019
Bottomley said, “The woman clearly was trying to create a fuss.
“Most viewers would say it’s good that she didn’t succeed.”
When Sir Peter was asked is Field was heavy handed by grabbing the women’s neck, he said, “No, he reversed her direction and she looked as though she went willingly.
“I think there’s no reason to criticise Mark Field… Of course, it wasn’t an assault, it was a reversal of direction.”
However, Jess Philips Labour MP said on Twitter, “She posed no credible threat from what I can see. There is very little else that could justify this and anyone can see that this could have been done without physical contact.
“Every MP has to deal with protest and conflict, it is done with words. To watch this is so so awful.”
Dawn Butler Labour MP wrote on Twitter, “This is horrific. Conservative Foreign Office Minister Mark Field violently grabs a woman as she protests about climate change at the bankers’ banquet.
“This appears to be assault. He must be immediately suspended or sacked. Due to Violence against women.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who is wondering why no one intervened. So much violence does not seem justified. An investigation needs to take place as soon as possible.”
Tory MP George Freeman tweeted, “This looks appallingly rough handling of a woman climate protester in a dress.
“But before everyone rushes to instant armchair judgement can I suggest that all of us who weren’t there & don’t know what was said or done just wait a few hours to hear what those who *were* there say.”
Liberal Democrat Chuka Umunna MP said Fields actions were “totally unacceptable” Sarah Wollaston said it was “Absolutely shameful, a male MP marching a woman out of a room by her neck.”
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