The man who stepped in to defend Jacob Rees-Mogg as he was confronted by masked protesters once dressed up in a Nazi SS uniform, it has been revealed.
Paul Townsley, who was attending a debate involving the Conservative MP, became involved in a scuffle with demonstrators and appeared to throw a punch at a woman.
Shortly after the incident at Bristol’s University of West of England, a photograph emerged of Mr Townsley dressed in full Nazi regalia at a ‘family do’.
The martial arts instructor claimed the photograph was taken at a fancy dress party, while his wife Linda said the image had led to harassment from left-wing activists.
Shortly after the incident at Bristol’s University of West of England, a photograph emerged of Paul Townsley (pictured) dressed in full Nazi regalia at a ‘family do’
Paul Townsley, who was attending a debate involving the Conservative MP, became involved in a scuffle with demonstrators and appeared to throw a punch at a woman
She told The Times: ‘We are fed up with being intimidated and have called police.
‘He dressed up [in the SS uniform] for a family do. He is a good man and a lot of people would support that.’
Mrs Townsley, 53, said her husband intervened as he feared for the MP’s safety, following the murder of Jo Cox at the hand of a right-wing extremist in 2016.
‘If one of protesters had a knife he would have been a hero,’ she added.
Speaking yesterday, Mr Townsley said: ‘He was vulnerable. From the guy in the sunglasses’ body language he was getting more aggressive and getting into Mr Rees-Mogg’s personal space.
‘It was a disgraceful event. I’m going to write a letter to [the university] asking why there was no security.
The martial arts instructor claimed the photograph was taken at a fancy dress party, while his wife Linda said the image had led to harassment from left-wing activists
Mrs Townsley, 53, said her husband intervened as he feared for the MP’s safety, following the murder of Jo Cox at the hand of a right-wing extremist in 2016
‘I went along with my son who studies politics. He should not be subjected to that behaviour.
‘At the entrance there were two students behind a desk who you handed tickets to before going in.’
Irish-born Mr Townsley, who left Belfast because of the Troubles, said: ‘I was worried about Mr Rees-Mogg’s safety. I knew there was no security.’
Responding to allegations that he punched a female protester, the martial arts expert said: ‘I didn’t hit anybody.
‘She was too close and I put my hand up to protect myself. She wanted to be there.
‘People will think what they want to think. I never hit anybody. She got so close that I could feel spittle in my face and I put my hand up to stop it.
The ‘man in the white shirt’ accused of punching a female protester at a Jacob Rees-Mogg speech earlier this week has said he stepped in to protect the MP due to a lack of security
Paul Townsley, pictured, said: ‘It was a disgraceful event. I’m going to write a letter to UWE asking why there was no security’
‘They broke in, in masks, I was intimidated but I was not going to back down to bullying or intimidation.’
He denied being a grey haired man pictured standing behind Mr Rees Mogg in a photograph taken on a separate occasion.
Mr Townsley, a ‘working class family man’ who lives in, Bristol, added: ‘If you don’t like what someone’s saying you vote against it.
‘That’s democracy. The only good thing to come out of the altercation was that nobody got hurt.
‘I’m not a fan of politicians, I think they should be questioned at every opportunity.’
Mr Townsley denied being a grey haired man pictured standing behind Mr Rees Mogg (shown) in a photograph taken on a separate occasion