Forum Topic

The ugly face of Conservatism

The Foreign Office minister Mark Filed has been suspended for his assault on a climate emergency demonstrator at last night's city banquet As you can see from the video of the event, it was a particularly ugly attack, in which Field forcefully pushed the young woman against a pillar, slapped her and pushed her out of the room in a neck hold. Very unpleasant. The video can be seen here:  https://www.youtube.com/embed/CeVS19oaSKw and there's a still from the Telegraph's coverage here:

Richard Carter ● 2700d66 Comments

Oops! It's Field, not Filed, of course.

Richard Carter ● 2700d

Perhaps he'd sampled too much of the free bubbly? 

Michael Ixer ● 2700d

Yes, he seemed to get out of his seat and assault her? Downing Street seems to be taking it seriously.

Michael Ixer ● 2700d

He needs to have the  whip withdrawn - this is totally unacceptable behaviour/reaction to a peaceful demonstrator. Milkshake anyone?

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

What was he supposed to do, try and reason with her ?He acted instinctively to deal with this unwelcome intruder (potential terrorist). She could have been carrying a knife, a gun or acid.Mark Field is a mild-mannered individual who was bravely putting himself at risk to defend others. He should be commended for his actions, not criticised.

Mike Harris ● 2700d

I'm sure the Cabinet Office investigation will determine how proportionate his intervention was. Mike, actually as she was from Greenpeace she would probably have welcomed a dialogue with Mr Field. I note Ms Barker is not pressing any charges. One does wonder what the security teams were doing - fortunate for everyone it was Greenpeace and not ISIS?

Michael Ixer ● 2700d

I'm sure the only reason the "protestor" isn't pressing charges is that she realises that there isn't a jury in the land that would convict Mr. Field. He should be congratulated for his prompt actions and the Head of Security at the Mansion House should be suspended and fired - if he hasn't been already.

Hugh Walton ● 2700d

It is all very strange.  How did she manage to gatecrash this event?  No security anywhere?  Rather odd as Phillip Hammond was addressing it.How did Mark Field know she was a gatecrasher?  I suppose the band saying Greenpeace was a give away.Mark Field did react very strongly indeed and the whole episode was enormously unpleasant to say the least, but equally frightening.  If you were in his shoes, what would you have done? From watching the video on the BBC news, it was absolutely horrific.  After "manhandling" her, he walked her out of the room. But where were security?

Ivonne Holliday ● 2700d

It's disgusting. Disgusting that Mark Field has been suspended and might lose his job because o this. Disgusting that this woman barged her way into a private event that she had no legitimate reason to be at. Disgusting that protesters now believe they can get away with anything they wish to do. Disgusting that the police are curtailed from dealing with protests and protesters in a properly effective manner.  Let's get real. This woman had evaded security and could have posed a real threat. She may have been carrying acid or even a knife, who knows? Mark Field didn't know so he acted instinctively to remove any potential danger, and I say good for him. There is outrage that she was grabbed by the back of her neck, this looks bad but didn't actually do her any harm. However, if Mr Field had grabbed her body, and in doing so had inadvertently touched her breasts, he would no doubt be accused of sexual assault as well. To her credit this woman is not pressing any charges against Mark Field so she may have accepted that she caused the situation herself.  I hope Mr Field is quickly reinstated.

Sue Hammond ● 2700d

Well said Sue. Agree with you 100%.

Hugh Walton ● 2700d

Sue. Greenpeace protesters expect to meet resistance but their aim is to get over a point in a disruptive but peaceful manner. If they're invading an oil rig in Russian waters they probably expect some rough handling. From the interviews I've seen yesterday's protesters expected blocking from security but I think physical violence from the audience wasn't anticipated but these things happen and its probably got them more news coverage. I'd like to think that Greenpeace got through on this occasions because of clever planning and social engineering whereas a serious attack by terrorists should have been more obvious. I know one of the Greenpeace technical IT  guys through my information securing contacts and they're pretty good at this stuff. My favourite story (which he told at a conference sharing a platform with the infosec guy from an oil company) was a protest they organised in Germany. Greenpeace wanted to protest at a nuclear facility. They spotted all vehicles heading in that direction were rigorously searched by the local police. Except the local beer delivery lorry, what self respecting German would delay the beer delivery? So Greenpeace protesters arrived at the nuclear plant hidden in a mock beer lorry 🙂 I'm sure last night's security breach was based on another clever piece of subterfuge ...

Michael Ixer ● 2700d

I find it quite disturbing that Mark Field's reaction has been applauded by certain people on here. He could have used non aggressive moves and perhaps she should not have been there but either way his response was unacceptable. If you watch the ITV news bulletin there's nothing to indicate that this woman was planning to harm anyone.Greenpeace were staging a demo - as is anyone's right in a democracy. There was security at the event and if she was carrying anything like a milkshake or weapon it would have been taken off her.She may yet decide to  press charges against Field after taking advice. I hope she does. Dragging someone, anyone, by the neck is assault.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

He could have just taken her arm and marched her out. The slapping and neck hold looks like assault which is presumably why there is an investigation.

Jane Carter ● 2700d

I looked at the video and can’t see a slap.Totally agree with Sue’s post.

Martine Guy ● 2700d

The slap is clear at about 8 seconds into the clip; it's good to see a more tempered response from Lucille. Janet Barker, along with the other Greenpeace protesters, entered the event (she did not "barge" in); she was wearing evening dress with a Greenpeace sash and carrying a small handbag and, as she says (reported in the Telegraph), she just walked past his chair. There was no evidence of any kind of attack by her, and Field himself has apologised "unreservedly," so it looks pretty clear that he not only over-reacted but realised that he did and now regrets it. And as for the question of what Field should have done, why didn't he take her by the arm: one of the other protesters was escorted out in precisely that way:
There's a full and remarkably balanced, considering the source, in the Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/06/21/mark-field-mp-mansion-house-assault-protester/

Richard Carter ● 2700d

The slap is clear at about 8 seconds into the clip; it's good to see a more tempered response from Lucille. Janet Barker, along with the other Greenpeace protesters, entered the event (she did not "barge" in); she was wearing evening dress with a Greenpeace sash and carrying a small handbag and, as she says (reported in the Telegraph), she just walked past his chair. There was no evidence of any kind of attack by her, and Field himself has apologised "unreservedly," so it looks pretty clear that he not only over-reacted but realised that he did and now regrets it. And as for the question of what Field should have done, why didn't he take her by the arm: one of the other protesters was escorted out in precisely that way:
There's a full and remarkably balanced, considering the source, in the Telegraph https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2019/06/21/mark-field-mp-mansion-house-assault-protester/

Richard Carter ● 2700d

He is tugging her by the neck Martine. You really think this is acceptable behaviour to remove someone?

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

She was not injured and seems to be perfectly ok.  He did the right thing by not grabbing her round the chest.  I heard a night club bouncer say on the radio that the MP dealt with the woman in the correct way.

Martine Guy ● 2700d

He clearly over-reacted and was far too heavy-handed, however given what happened to Jo Cox I’m inclined not to judge him too harshly.

Craig Fordham ● 2700d

So what she was wearing a Greenpeace sash and evening dress?  It’s often the people you least expect, who can carry out an act of violence. Nobody knew what she might have in her handbag.  He did the right thing.  With hindsight it was an overreaction, but she doesn’t appear to be hurt in anyway.

Martine Guy ● 2700d

Within the last 24 hours, two men dressed as women in burkas threw acid over a market stall holder in East London.  Milk shake anyone?These protesters were foolish to act in this way at this time, were trespassing at a private dinner, and got what they deserved.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2700d

Isn't it odd how throwing a milkshake over Nigel Farage gets roundly condemned on this forum yet violence against a woman seems to be congratulated?

Matt Palmer ● 2700d

Couldn't put it better Matt. Thank you.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

I've been a supporter of Greenpeace since the 1980's and know that Climate Change protestors are doing the right thing. However, Field did the right thing from his point of view and should not be condemned.Greenpeace understandably milked the story this morning in order to maximise the press coverage of their cause, but now let's all be grown-ups. If he had grabbed her anywhere else he'd have been accused of groping. If he had not touched her she'd have carried on to the stage.It is the security team that should be condemned.

Bill Christie ● 2700d

@MattThe subject the of the milkshake and Farage was brought up by Richard so he could take the pi$$ in his 'What A Milksop' thread. The idiot who lobbed the drink was then rightly condemned. However, I haven't seen anybody in this thread congratulating Mark Field, have you?

Sue Hammond ● 2700d

Some people here are condoning him, Sue. He  should not be condoned for an assault.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

Mike Harris: "He should be commended for his actions, not criticised."Hugh Walton: "He should be congratulated for his prompt actions"

Matt Palmer ● 2700d

Years ago I had a meeting with a former cabinet secretary. He took us through the IRA attack on Downing Street.He said the cabinet froze in fear, hid under the table in the cabinet room, expecting Iraqi special forces to crash through the doors from the garden and kill them all.That was the context they expected. The entire cabinet and cabinet secretary, however, were wrong in their initial assumptions.---During terror attacks people freeze, flee or fight. People at Mansion House yesterday evening initially feared a terror attack. When clear to the room it was a political protest rather than a terror attack, attendees listened to the protestors for 2-3 minutes.Point is, it would be interesting to know at which point during the protest Mr Field ejected The Protestor. The chronology’s important. It would also be helpful to see what happened once Mr Field and The Protestor were outside the main room.---It’s easy to take events out of context, to be wise after the fact. Actions, however, have consequences.

Fraser Pearce ● 2700d

Fair enough Matt. To be honest I also think Field must be congratulated for his prompt response. Grudging congrats to the protestor for achieving her 15 minutes of fame, and for getting Greenpeace so much publicity.I'm listening to this being debated on LBC and I estimate the callers are 60/40 in favour of Field. What is making me laugh is how grabbing the protester by the neck is being changed by some hysterical female snowflakes into 'he grabbed her round the throat'🙀and 'he had his hands round her neck'.🙀I'm just waiting for one to ring and say Field was trying to strangle her lol.

Sue Hammond ● 2700d

“Violence against a woman.”Don’t be sexist, Matt. The person’s gender shouldn't matter.Please don’t assume a person’s gender either.

Fraser Pearce ● 2700d

Any people on the forum care to post their home address here?Others could arrive at your home, throw milkshakes over you and enter the property without permission. Extra interest if the kids are home.---Of course, I’m against actions like this. Those who aren’t, however, should maybe try it - could even report back to us how the experience made them feel.

Fraser Pearce ● 2700d

Well my view a gate crasher, if it was your meeting what would you do chuck them out.

Barbara Stevens ● 2700d

Yes but it isn't Greenpeace, it's green antagonism. There all just getting on the public's nerves.

Barbara Stevens ● 2700d

Hi Fraser I watched a longer video showing  the lead up to the ejection by Mark Field. There was ample time to see that there was a 'peaceful' demo taking place and for security services to take action if they believed it necessary. There was no reason for Field to take matters into his own hands (literally). https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CpZiUrBniYwAs you can see here a number of women were ejected while protesting,  escorted out before the other lady was grabbed by Field. Perhaps people supporting Field might like to watch the episode as it unfolds instead of blindly congratulating or condoning him.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

Please, please don't begin a gender discussion on here Fraser! #proudtobeawoman

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

…I thought that’s how it worked, Lucille. It’s so hard to keep up these days.#proudtohaveballs

Fraser Pearce ● 2700d

Hello Lucille,I do not think Mark Field should be condoned or congratulated for his reaction which I agree is manhandling at least, assault at worst.In the calm of my sitting room, I read the story a few times and, while I am horrified at what happened, there are quite a few questions that are unanswered, namely:- where were Mansion House security?- how was Janet Baker, and 40 in all protesters, able to gatecrash Mansion House?- some reports say Janet Baker was walking past Mark Field, others say she was rushing and others that she was running past in the direction where Phillip Hammond was delivering his address and next to Mark Carney;- is Mark Field trained in using "reasonable force"?- obviously Mark Field's reaction was excessive - no doubt but, what would you have done in his place?  I am asking this, as I say, from the calm of my sitting room and I was not there;- why did none of the other people at the event get up to help Mark Field or to stop him manhandling Janet Baker?- The Foreign Office minister for Asia and the Pacific, can be heard saying: "Can you get this person out?" The woman, wearing a sash reading "climate emergency", replied: "It's a peaceful protest."- if it was a peaceful protest, why not stop walking/rushing/running?- Greenpeace have been known to take direct action in some cases which were frightening to watch (I am thinking about trying to board a whaling ship for example);- I do not know what I would have done in his place.  Perhaps tempted to lift my foot against her leg to make her trip?  A rugby style tackle? - I really feel that both parties were at fault, one for gatecrashing and the other for an over-the-top reaction, but at the time, was it?I repeat myself, I am not condoning Mark Field for his reaction nor am I criticizing him, I am asking a few questions which nobody can answer, not even me.  Mark Field's reaction was excessive (in the cool light of morning) but was it unreasonable at the time?  Hand in heart, if an unknown person comes into my house uninvited, I am sure I would not be questioning "girl handling" or assault, as I would feel his being there is an assault on the safety of my house and would react accordingly.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2700d

Protestor: "I'm sorry, I overstepped & I realise I've no right to get so close to elected MPs. I could easily be mistaken for a threat." Mark Field: "No problems. I'm sorry too, I could've been a little less rough, but I panicked, given the times we now live." No harm done 🤷‍♂️Not sure that Mark Field would even welcome your support. Yes the protestor was foolish but could have been led out in the same way as the other protestors were.

Jane Carter ● 2700d

Thanks, Lucille. I’ve seen the footage. It may well be inadmissible. There’s no time stamp, no clear chronology or sequence of events.---“Security services” weren't there in numbers in the room. If they’re not there, they can’t make a threat assessment (as you say, “to take action if they believed it necessary”).The hardcore operators would've stayed near the Chancellor, not gone into the room to confront the protesters. Why? Because protests such as these, plus the surrounding confusion might be the pretext to an attack.As previously mentioned, it’s easy to be wise after the event. Even easier for amateurs to see what could and should have happened.---Female security are paid a premium at events like these – because female protestors know they can get away with things male protestors can’t. So much for equality.

Fraser Pearce ● 2700d

Sue Hammond: 16:02 - However, I haven't seen anybody in this thread congratulating Mark Field, have you?Sue Hammond: 16:47 - To be honest I also think Field must be congratulated !!

Matt Palmer ● 2700d

An interesting article on this, worth a readhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-48717002

Ivonne Holliday ● 2700d

#proudtobeawoman#proudtohaveballsOh, you self-made people!

David Ainsworth ● 2700d

Jane people only see what they want to see. The young lady in question if you look harder would not have been man handled if she hadn't continued to try to get past him and was struggling so much. She deserved the way she was treated. If you had asked her to go she wouldn't have and would then start shouting about.

Barbara Stevens ● 2700d

Field jumped out at her. She didn't provoke him at all. Unacceptable for anyone to have .manhandled a protestor under these circumstances.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

Lucille don't be stupid, what if she had been another colour, they wouldn't have touched her they would have all dived under the table or mass hysteria falling over each other to get out. They would have stopped the meeting nobody would have been left in the room.

Barbara Stevens ● 2700d

Well he wasn't going to grab her boobs or bottom was he Lucille.

Barbara Stevens ● 2700d

I may be many things Barbara but I know I'm not stupid. There is no need for personal insults just because you disagree with me. She  wasn't 'another colour' - no-one moved, let alone rushed out, because there was no danger as you can see in the lead up in the longer video. HTH.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

And your point is, Barbara? Oh, I forgot, I'm stupid according to you.

Lucille Grant ● 2700d

Barbara (19:18) I think this is an unnecessary comment and it is tantamount to speculation.Nobody spoke about colour anywhere!  The truth is that a particular protestor went past Mark Fields and he reacted.  Whether you agree with one side or the other it is up to you.But to bring colour into the discussion - ridiculous.

Ivonne Holliday ● 2700d

Just a storm in a teacup. Mark Field is just instinctively protecting the group from the intruder. Unfortunately more of this to come in the future. Protesters are becoming a blight on society, and sometimes when there is a reaction the protester then plays the victim.This is the society we live in today.The poster has deliberately picked this story to create division on the thread between Conservatives and Liberals.

Paul Game ● 2700d

Paul. Let's see what the Cabinet Office investigation comes up with: they will presumably take into consideration eyewitness accounts of those present on all sides? Protesters have been a part British democracy for a while: the suffragettes are important ones that spring to mind, so I have to disagree with you on that. Climate change is a serious threat to civilisation, Greenpeace and others have a role to play in bringing it to everyone's attention. (And I have a secret  admiration for the innovative ways Greenpeace break security procedures - I shouldn't have, because of my corporate background, but taking advantage of sloppy, arrogant,complacent senior managers isn't necessarily a bad thing - better Greenpeace than ISIS or the IRA?)

Michael Ixer ● 2700d

So protesters like Tommy Robinson and co are a "blight on society" and "play the victim"?

David Ainsworth ● 2700d

Yes, there is a blight on society, but how sadly predictable that you concentrate on the symptom not the cause. The blight is the twin threat posed by the climate emergency and atmospheric pollution, and what these young people were doing was peacefully to demonstrate to this roomful of smug bankers (oops! I nearly wrote something else) that the threat is both here right now and very serious.

Richard Carter ● 2699d

Why didn't the protesters at the recent Trump rally clear up after themselves if they care so much about the environment? All the placards and rubbish left on the streets was appalling:https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/donald-trump-uk-visit-protesters-leave-central-london-looking-like-a-rubbish-tip-a4160366.htmlThen you have gas-guzzling Emma Thompson flying 5400 miles to get to a London protest. What about her carbon footprint?Appalling double standards and utter hypocrisy.Why didn't she sail across the Atlantic if she cares so much?https://metro.co.uk/2019/04/19/emma-thompson-flew-5400-miles-join-climate-change-protest-9262552/Yes, there is a time to protest without causing public disturbance, but I don't think the Police should allow the protesters to pitch a tent on a busy road in central London for 5 days bringing London to a standstill.Khan's lawless London is becoming an absolute embarrassment.

Paul Game ● 2699d

Sorry Lucille, NO your not stupid.x I just get fed up with people with nothing else to do and keep protesting.

Barbara Stevens ● 2699d

Barbara, people who protest do so because it is their right. Heaven forbid this is ever ruled illegal as happens in other countries. What they do with their time is their business (and I'm pretty sure they have plenty of other things to do like  work for a living, families etc) but climate change, the reason for this particular protest, is a priority for many of us.

Lucille Grant ● 2699d

You'll no doubt be pleased to know Paul that there's another 5 day protest planned in July ;)

Matt Palmer ● 2699d

Well plastic removal first would help.

Barbara Stevens ● 2699d

Thanks for cheering me up Matt 🤣Oh well, at least we recently found some common ground regarding Public services and Public utilities. There is hope for us yet.Enjoy the weekend sunshine whilst it lasts🌞

Paul Game ● 2699d

I happened to see this live on Sky News.  Philip Hammond commenced his speech, unaware that the protesters (men in DJs and women in red dresses with sashes saying Climate Emergency") had entered at the back of the room.  There were a lot of them.  He was told to stop speaking by a liveried gentleman behind him.Some of the group made their way to the top table, and were filmed taking pictures on phones of Mark Carney, very close to his face.Given Field's placement in the room, he would have seen this quite clearly, but unable to do anything about it.  Shortly after this, Baker walked up behind him.Having seen the video several times, where Baker walks quickly up the righthand side of the room behind Field. who turns and tries to stop her proceeding further.  At no time did he put his hands "round her neck" but placed his hand behind her neck moving her forwards.  At this point she is clearly not distressed and grinning.She appeared to then be led out of the room by others, while Field returned to his seat.The rest of the people in the room look concerned and confused, as there is nothing to say that these protesters are from Greenpeace.  Given the size of the room, most people would be unaware of the muffled announcements made by the protesters.Mrs Baker's husband said in an interview that she was intent on "Taking down Tory MPs, one at a time."  They live off-grid and she knits items from her 31 angora rabbits and is a "support worker".  She is also a member of Extinction Rebellion.  A subsequent interview shows no marking whatsoever on her neck.Feminists have created a huge problem for the rest of us women, who prefer to reason and negotiate with men, rather than constantly emasculating them. If they truly want equality, then they must accept that they will be "man-handled" if they intrude on others' private space.  There has been another acid attack in London, and I think most people agree that Nigel Farage was the victim of something that could have been far worse.  White liquid could contain anything.  Mr Field and his colleagues were at a private dinner, and were the victims of intruders who could have had anything in their handbags or pockets.Peaceful outdoor protests are fine, but this kind of behaviour at a private event is designed to incite a strong defensive reaction for publicity purposes.I would ask this - if anyone here was in a contained private space, where a large number of men and women burst in, coming up behind you - what would you do?Greenpeace are well known for their aggressive tactics.  Flight was impossible for most, so fight was the only option.  I would have done the same.A man under threat has apologised, and a female intruder accepted that apology without pressing charges.  I do not wish to see time and money wasted on a futile "inquiry," at a time when good brains in the Foreign Office are needed most.

Chantal Blake-Milton ● 2699d

I also saw the Sky report. Very enlightening what a differently angled video can show!. What really intrigues me is how many protesters were in the room. Do they actually have standing room at these events? Were they actually invited and had passes, as no attempt seems to have been made to detain them?

Barbara Shillabeer ● 2699d

Lucille nobody has a right to invade Private Property.

Barbara Stevens ● 2698d

"Lucille nobody has a right to invade Private Property."Indeed, and I believe that the demonstrators were aware of that, but nobody has a right to use unnecessary levels of force to remedy the situation.

David Ainsworth ● 2698d

Barbara this group weren't prevented from entering the venue. The security team seemed rather lax under the circumstances. I'm not sure it can be called 'private property' as if it was someone's home tbh.

Lucille Grant ● 2698d

The Mansion House is private property as it's the Lord Mayor of London's official residence. And this was an invitation only event so technically the protesters were tressspassing but they didn't seem to have their entrance impeded. However, the event was being reported on and as such an obvious target for a Greenpeace protest - Greenpeace certainly achieved that but they're probably annoyed that Mr Field has got more publicity for his actions than the climate emergency has. It appears the activists managed to bamboozle the Mansion House security by dressing the men in black tie (how do you destinguish between a city gent and an identically dressed protester?) and the women in red dresses very similar to thoses worn by the official hostesses (except for the "climate emergency" sashes, but who'd read that?). Definitely Greenpeace (w)one, security company "lost". Bad protesters: not dressing in scruffy jeans and tee shirts so it's obvious who you are ...

Michael Ixer ● 2697d

Sorry Lucille I didn't know you attended and new exactly what went on.

Barbara Stevens ● 2697d