Police protect Anna Soubry as Brexit 'yellow vest' protesters surround her and shout 'Hitler' jibes

Ms Soubry was met by protesters outside of Parliament
Alamy Live News.
Olivia Tobin20 December 2018
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Police officers protected Conservative MP Anna Soubry as she was surrounded by Brexit "yellow vest" protesters who shouted "Hitler" jibes at her.

The protesters followed the Remain-backing MP as she walked to an interview with Sky News from Parliament and accused her of “being on the side of Hitler”.

The Broxtowe and Nottinghamshire MP was on her way to Sky News to take part in an interview about misogyny in politics, journalist Beth Rigby said.

A video now widely shared online shows the former cabinet minister, who backs a second EU referendum, being accosted and shouted at by protesters.

In the video, one man wearing a high-visibility vest is seen calling Ms Soubry a “disgrace to the country” for her vigorous campaigning for a People's Vote and to Remain in the EU.

She is then probed with questions, as one asks: “Why do you think you can get away with it? Why are you calling for a second vote?”

The 62-year-old is then told: “You are a traitor, you are a traitor to this country. You are on the side of Adolf Hitler. “

 Tory MP Anna Soubry (Photo Chris McAndrew) 

Ms Soubry and the group were accompanied by two officers as they walk past Parliament. At one point a police officer stepped in to ask one of the protesters to stand back.

MPs from all sides have rallied round Ms Soubry to condemn the abuse and declare solidarity.

Labour MP David Lammy said: “This kind of nasty, aggressive behaviour towards an elected representative is reprehensible. Particularly a woman. Solidarity with Anna Soubry.”

Fellow Labour MP Diana Johnson said: “This is truly awful and whatever your view on Brexit, there is absolutely no excuse for this type of intimidation and thuggery. Calling an MP a “traitor” for holding a different view is unacceptable. This is dangerous and needs to be called out and stopped.

“Solidarity with Anan Soubry.”

Conservative MP Heidi Allen said: “I don’t care how you voted in the referendum, but this is intimidation and harassment is completely unacceptable. What have we become?! I am proud to call Anna Soubry my friend and respect and admire her greatly.”

Ms Soubry posted her thanks for the support on Twitter, writing: “Thank YOU! Some of them were open in their support for Hitler - all of them abusive.

“This is what we have unleashed - bigotry, hate, racism & brutal nationalism. Time to heal and remember the overwhelming majority of British people are decent, kind and tolerant.”

She added: “Would like to thank the two police officers who were very kind and also had to put up with the abuse.”

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