Mark Field suspended as minister for ‘over the top’ altercation with protester

Tory MP Mark Field has been suspended as a Government minister for an “over the top” response to a climate change protester he manhandled at a high-profile dinner.

Prime Minister Theresa May made the decision to suspend him from his Foreign Office job after viewing footage of the incident, which she found “very concerning”.

Greenpeace activist Janet Barker said she had expected some resistance to the group’s protest but not to be “grabbed round the neck” and physically removed from the room.

City of London Police said they were looking into a “small number” of third-party reports of an assault at the Mansion House event.

Greenpeace protesters disrupted the black-tie event, where Chancellor Philip Hammond was speaking, to demand action to tackle the climate emergency.

Mr Field was seen grappling with the female protester at the event in scenes described as “horrific” by Labour.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said: “The Prime Minister has seen the footage and she found it very concerning.

“The police have said they are looking into reports over this matter and Mark Field has also referred himself to both the Cabinet Office and the Conservative Party.

“He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place.”

Mrs May, who had been at a summit of European Union leaders in Brussels, is understood to have spoken to Chief Whip Julian Smith about the incident, who then informed Mr Field of her decision.

Ms Barker told the BBC she had expected resistance “but not to the extent which I received”.

“I expected to maybe engage in a conversation or two with people, perhaps people blocking my way.

“But certainly not to be grabbed round the neck.”

Asked what she thought of his actions, she said: “They were pretty much over the top.

“We were peaceful, I was simply walking past his chair – or trying to walk past his chair. They were really over the top.”

Mr Field has referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation and has apologised “unreservedly” to the activist.

In a statement to ITV, Cities of London and Westminster MP Mr Field said: “In the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table I instinctively reacted.

“There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed.

“As a result I grasped the intruder firmly in order to remove her from the room as swiftly as possible.”

He added that he “deeply” regretted the incident and would co-operate fully with a Cabinet Office investigation.

Mr Field was a minister in Jeremy Hunt’s team at the Foreign Office and also supported him for the Tory leadership.

Mr Hunt told the BBC: “Mark has issued a full and unreserved apology. He recognises that what happened was an over-reaction.”

Tory MP Sir Peter Bottomley defended Mr Field’s actions, telling the Press Association he had done nothing wrong.

Sir Peter said: “The woman clearly was trying to create a fuss.

“Most viewers would say it’s good that she didn’t succeed.”

Philip Hammond Mansion House speech
Philip Hammond Mansion House speech

Sir Peter, whose wife Virginia – now Baroness Bottomley – was assaulted while health secretary, said if a police officer had done what Mr Field did, “would there have been a fuss? The answer is no”.

But shadow women and equalities secretary Dawn Butler described the incident as “horrific” and said “so much violence does not seem justified”.

Senior captains of industry and top City executives were among the invited guests hearing speeches by Mr Hammond and Bank of England governor Mark Carney.

A City of London Police spokesman said: “We have received a small number of third-party reports of an assault taking place at the event. These reports are being looked into by police.”

The City of London Corporation said it was investigating the breach of security at Mansion House and “will be reviewing arrangements for future events”.

The UK remains committed to helping women all over the world to feel safe and protected in the work they do, so they can speak freely and be part of the change we all want. My remarks at the Westminster Hall Debate on Women Human Rights Defenders. https://t.co/fmQMtXSTgV

— Mark Field MP (@MarkFieldUK) May 9, 2019

In his ministerial role, Mr Field has spoken up for the rights of protesters and condemned violence against women.

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