Kentish Express Ashford & District
MP claims it was ‘political analysis’ after swearing at Brexit protester
An anti-Brexit activist who filmed himself being insulted by MP Damian Green has spoken about the incident, saying at the time he thought “This is gold”.
In a video released last week, Ashford MP Mr Green is seen using an obscenity outside Parliament in reference to Remain protester Steve Bray.
The vocal Brexit opponent rose to prominence in 2017 and has become well known for getting in the background of TV interviews.
Often seen wearing a blue top hat and Union Jack cape, Mr Bray also uses loudspeakers to interrupt televised discussions.
It was these actions that led to Mr Green calling the Port Talbot man a “w ***** ” after a disrupted chat with press reporters.
When asked about the insult, Mr Green replied that it was “political analysis”.
Footage captured at the time was released on Twitter by the Stand of Defiance European Movement, an anti-Brexit group founded by Mr Bray two years ago.
Speaking about the video, which has received hundreds of thousands of views, Mr Bray said: “Because I was filming it and live streaming it, I thought ‘This is gold’. I said that I might be thinking it of you but I know better than to say it.
“I talked to Jacob Rees-Mogg when he made a statement outside Stephen’s entrance, we shook hands and he said ‘It’s your democratic right’.
“Rees-Mogg is a gentleman but on the other hand, Damian Green just came across as nasty and to call me a w ***** wasn’t necessary.
“It’s sad that they are resulting to abuse these days.
“I’ve had abuse before off other MPs. They aren’t a fun bunch when they are caught off-guard and not prepared for an interview.
“Now Michael Gove is backing what Damian Green said and I think these people that are selected to be leading this country, they’re using playground politics with people that vote.
“It’s quite shocking that these people actually think they can behave like this. They seem to think they have a right to say what they like when the public try to put them in their place.
“They serve us, they are paid by the public purse and they should lead by example.”
Environment Secretary Michael Gove commented on the video on Twitter, saying “Incisive analysis from a great man” and Conservative MEP for the South East Daniel Hannan posted to say: “Well said @DamianGreen.”
When asked if he could see why MPs might get annoyed by his actions, Mr Bray said: “It’s democracy in action, people will always protest against things they don’t like.
“My actions are very effective in terms of saying that we can stop this, and my message is going around the world. We’re telling people across the globe that we don’t all want Brexit and a lot of people to want to remain.
“It’s the largest political mess we’ve ever been in.
“It’s not democracy if the people can’t have another say yet Theresa May can keep calling for vote after vote. Where’s the democracy in that?
“At the end of the day, they serve us, we don’t serve them.”
‘I’ve had abuse before off other MPs. They aren’t a fun bunch when they are caught off guard and not prepared for an interview’