Politicians are turning down TV interviews outside Parliament for fear of being abused by intimidating far-right protesters, MailOnline can reveal today.
Adam Boulton, Sky News Editor-at-large, said today that some MPs have been put off talking to the media in the open after Anna Soubry was verbally abused and called a ‘Nazi’.
Yellow vest-wearing Brexit supporters have spent almost two months chasing pro-EU activists, politicians and journalists down the street, shouting insults.
Welsh Tory MP David Davies today revealed he wears a body camera to protect himself from threatening protesters – and have evidence if they attack him.
Mr Boulton admitted he has been regularly abused, including about his weight, while his colleagues have been verbally assaulted because they are women or not white.
He told MailOnline today: ‘It hasn’t been very pleasant. I, myself, was abused with taunts like “why don’t you go to WeightWatchers” but far worse was the same group shouting “you’re not British” to our political editor Faisal Islam.
Adam Boulton, Sky News Editor-at-large, told MailOnline today that MPs no longer want to interviewed on College Green because of the levels of intimidation
David Davies, MP for Monmouth in Wales, (pictured yesterday) said he has resorted to carrying the device after protesters swore and branded him ‘scum’ and shoved flagposts in his face
The tents and stages used by the BBC and Sky on College Green were left empty yesterday as broadcasters kept their stars and MPs indoors to avoid abuse
Pro and anti Brexit protesters angrily clash with each other outside parliament as they continue their noisy demonstrations (pictured, today) – while MPs inside Westminster debated Brexit
A band of pro EU protesters have gathered outside Parliament on College Green where they have been noisily protesting (pictured, today)
‘They operate very similar to football yobs in that their concerted chanting is a ploy to disrupt our broadcasting and to verbally intimidate politicians being interviewed.
‘It’s got to the stage now that some MPs won’t come out to talk to us because they fear it’d be an unpleasant encounter’.
Mr Boulton said: ‘The same small group was here in the build up to Christmas and they returned on Monday afternoon, behaving in the same way.
Sky News Political Editor Faisal Islam (pictured) was racially abused but nobody was arrested
‘There is nothing wrong with protesting, there has always been demonstrations in Westminster but the moment you try to stifle views that are different to your own, that crosses a line.
‘We know that they’re filming their activities and Facebook yesterday took the decision to take down a page they were linked to.
‘They are playing to a niche market via social media and hoping to build on their notoriety.
‘Fortunately this morning, no doubt due to the media coverage and the strengthening of the police presence, it’s all been very calm so far.’
The BBC and Sky News kept their top stars away from Westminster for 24 hours yesterday.
Right-wing rabble rousers chanted ‘Nazi’ at remain-supporting Tory MP Anna Soubry as she was interviewed live on TV on Monday before lying in wait to pursue and harass her through Westminster.
They also surrounded left wing commentator Owen Jones, calling him a ‘communist bully’ and a ‘lying little toad’.‘
Both Pro-EE protestors and Brexit supporters maintained a peaceful presence outside Parliament and College Green, where towering TV gantries have been erected, but there was no hint of the disturbances which erupted two days ago.
At least four police vans were positioned around Parliament Green with several officers on patrol.
MailOnline understands that production staff working for the major broadcasters have also been targeted by yellow-vest protesters in recent weeks.
One, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We’re subjected to similar levels of abuse and intimidation.
‘You get sneered at by them, particularly when they see us looking after the guests. They shout “you’re just a lapdog” and get quite worked up about it.’
The pro Brexit MP David Davies (pictured yesterda) said the footage captures the abuse and protects him from false accusations from the mobs outside Parliament
More uniformed police officer have been sent to patrol outside parliament today (pictured) as MPs and journalists have complained of threats and intimidation by protesters furious at their opinions on Brexit
Protesters, draped in EU flags, have resumed their protest outside the House of Commons today (pictured). It comes amid growing controversy over the abuse and threats thrown at MPs as they are interviewed by the press outside Parliament
Protesters donning yellow vests were back outside protesting about Brexit – despite widespread anger at the abuse hurled by Tory MP and leading Remainer Anna Soubry on Monday
David Davies, MP for Monmouth in Wales, said he has resorted to wearing a body camera after protesters swore and branded him ‘scum’ and shoved flagposts in his face.
Top Met cop admits he is still trying to ‘understand’ if calling someone a Nazi breaks the law
The Met Officer in charge of policing Westminster admitted they still don’t know if calling someone a Nazi is an offence.
DAC Laurence Taylor (pictured) said his officers are still studying footage of the abuse of Ms Soubry.
He was asked directly: ‘Is it a criminal offence to call someone a Nazi?’
He then told LBC: ‘That is part of the assessment we are undertaking and we need to understand if language such as that meets the criminal threshold’.
Critics quickly responded to his comments and said: ‘You’d think they’d have figured that out by now?’ and another tweeted: ‘Trying to decide! Almost every patrol cop in the country deals with this on a daily basis… Basics’
Police near Parliament have been ‘briefed to intervene appropriately’ if the law is broken after Tory MP Anna Soubry accused them of ignoring abuse.
The pro-EU Tory made the allegation the day after she was branded a ‘Nazi’ and a ‘liar’ by a mob who targeted her during live television interviews and then followed her as she made her way back into the Commons.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: ‘An ongoing policing operation at the Parliamentary estate around Brexit continues and we have an appropriate policing plan in place.
‘Our role is to facilitate peaceful protest and balance the needs and rights of all those present, including protesters, MPs and members of the public.
‘We will deal robustly with incidents of harassment and abuse against anyone where that harassment or abuse constitutes a criminal offence.
‘Officers in the area have been briefed to intervene appropriately where they hear or see breaches of the law.’
The Brexiteer said the footage captures the abuse and protects him from false accusations from the mobs outside Parliament.
His revelations comes as the PM today tore into protesters who have hurled abuse and violent threats at MPs outside Parliament.
She said that all politicians will want to unite to condemn the harassment of Tory MP Anna Soubry and others targeted by far-right protesters in recent days.
Mr Davies told BBC News: ‘Like a lot of MPs on all sides of the [Brexit] argument, I’ve been subjected to abuse, threats and malicious allegations.
‘It has been going on a long time. So the camera is to protect me and for evidential purposes.
‘During the last couple of interviews I’ve done, I’ve had people swearing, threatening to find where I live and I’ve been called scum.
‘I’ve had flag poles shoved in my face and if I have to push objects out of the way, people have made allegations that I’ve grabbed them.
‘So now I switch on the camera every time I walk up and down to College Green.’
While Labour MP Harriet Harman – known as the ‘mother of the House’ as she is the longest serving female MP – is demanding a special ‘Speakers Conference’ to be held to discuss the safety of MPs.
She warned that the ‘toxic’ level of debate simmering online is now erupting into abuse and violent threats against MPs on the street.
She said: ‘We don’t want MPs who are looking over their shoulder, keeping their heads down, don’t hold open surgeries or want to travel alone – and this is what is happening.’
Her call is being backed by Tory MP Ken Clarke – the father of the House as he is the longest serving male MP.
Ms Harman also revealed that Parliament’s joint committee on human rights will next week take evidence from Sir Graham Brady, chairman of the Tory Party’s 1922 Committee, and someone from the Parliamentary Labour Party, on the threats to MPs.
It comes as the Prime Minister joined the growing number of politicians who have publicly condemned the abuse.
Speaking in the Commons during PMQs today, Mrs May said: ‘In recent days we have seen instances of threats of violence and intimidation against members of this House, including by right honourable friend the member for Broxtowe, and members of the media.
‘I am sure the whole House will join me in condemning those threats.
‘Politicians and the media should be able to go about their work without harassment and intimidation.’
Jeremy Corbyn also condemned the abuse and said MPs must have a ‘safe space’ to voice their opinions free from abuse and threats.
But the PM told the Labour leader he should act on his words and tell his shadow chancellor John McDonnell to apologise for repeating comments that Tory MP Esther McVey should be ‘lynched’.
Several MPs have spoken out against the abuse and death threats they have received for their Brexit views.
Police have faced widespread criticism for failing to arrest a gang of men after they mobbed Ms Soubry and called her a ‘Nazi’.
The gang is led by James Goddard – who has spoken at rallies backing Tommy Robinson and been pictured with Ukip leader Gerard Batten.
The Met Police have since vowed to crackdown on the disorder and sent many more officers to Westminster in case there are further clashes.
But the force was today accused of ‘wishy washy’ policing while Ms Soubry blasted police for failing to arrest him and said of Goddard:
She said: ‘You have this man racially abusing a police office and they didn’t even nick him.
‘I find it quite extraordinary’.
James Goddard was in a gang of agitators that surrounded Anna Soubry and was filmed the same day shouting at a police officer: ‘You ain’t even f***ing British, how dare you?’
Lawyers and ex-senior police all believe the men who hounded her breached the Public Order Act.
But the Met officer in charge yesterday admitted he did not know if calling someone a Nazi is an offence.
Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor made the admission while being quizzed about the harassment of Ms Soubry.
Dai Davies, the former head of the Met’s territorial support unit, said: ‘I would have arrested these people.
‘Police today are far too wishy washy.’
Meanwhile, it emerged today that Mr Goddard has links to Ukip.
He was photographed with Ukip leader Gerard Batten at a far-Right demo last year.
Since December, Mr Goddard and his rag-tag bunch of followers have harassed and verbally abused MPs, campaigners and TV journalists at Westminster.
Gerard Batten Leader of UKIP (left) with James Goddard on a Tommy Robinson march June 2018
His appalling behaviour has prompted more than 140 MPs to demand that Scotland Yard chief Cressida Dick tackles the ‘deteriorating public order and security situation’ outside the House of Commons
The Mail has established that Goddard is one of a growing number of extremists who have become close to Ukip.
Tory MP Nick Boles says he has received death threats as he demands tougher police action
Ex minister Nick Boles (pictured in the Commons last night) revealed today he had received a death threat for the first time after joining a Tory revolt against no deal Brexit
A Tory MP and former minister has revealed he has received death threats.
Nick Boles said he fears another MP will be kille dby someone ‘with a screw loose’ and urged police to take tougher action against protesters who buse politicans.
He told BBC Rradio 5 Live’s Emma Barnett Show: ‘I do feel great concern that someone in parliament or not in parliament – journalists have been subjected, Laura Kuenssberg from the BBC, Owen Jones from the Guardian, others in the debate have been subjected to similarly vile attacks.
‘And I do worry that somebody else may end up falling victim to somebody with a screw loose and a lot of hatred in their heart.’
He added: ‘If these [online] threats become normal, then somebody, in order to make themselves stand out in their own sad, sick minds, will then feel that they have to act on the threat, because just making a threat will seem so everyday.
‘So we do need to see more people being charged, more people being prosecuted and more people being jailed for making these threats, and for behaving in the way that those people did who shouted at Anna Soubry a couple of days ago.’
He was pictured last June smiling alongside Mr Batten at a rally calling for the release from prison of Tommy Robinson, the founder of the English Defence League.
The photograph underlines concerns about Ukip’s lurch toward the far-Right since Mr Batten became leader last February.
The MEP – whose salary of £67,000 is part-funded by the British taxpayer – denies knowing Mr Goddard.
Mr Batten has called Islam a ‘death cult’ and aligned the party with a disparate selection of xenophobic rabble-rousers and those who pedal conspiracy theories.
His appointment of Mr Robinson as Ukip’s special political adviser led to the resignations of former leaders Nigel Farage and Paul Nuttall.
Half of its representatives in the European Parliament followed suit.
Meanwhile, ex minister Nick Boles revealed today he had received a death threat for the first time after joining a Tory revolt against no deal Brexit.
He told BBC Radio 5 Live’s Emma Barnett Show that he is worried that somebody else working in politics ‘may end up falling victim to someone with a screw loose’.
He said: ‘I do feel great concern that someone in parliament or not in parliament – journalists have been subjected, Laura Kuenssberg from the BBC, Owen Jones from the Guardian, others in the debate have been subjected to similarly vile attacks.
‘And I do worry that somebody else may end up falling victim to somebody with a screw loose and a lot of hatred in their heart.’
He added: ‘If these [online] threats become normal, then somebody, in order to make themselves stand out in their own sad, sick minds, will then feel that they have to act on the threat, because just making a threat will seem so everyday.
‘So we do need to see more people being charged, more people being prosecuted and more people being jailed for making these threats, and for behaving in the way that those people did who shouted at Anna Soubry a couple of days ago.’
Ms Soubry was pursued by an aggressive mob, including far-right activist James Goddard (pictured left, next to Soubry) after he abused police