Right-wing thugs putting democracy at risk
THERE have been some very ugly scenes at Westminster this past week, with right-wing anti-EU protesters becoming aggressively hostile outside Parliament on College Green – where the majority of TV interviews with MPs take place.
Protesters on the Green are not uncommon, and they are an important part of democracy, but what we are now witnessing is deeply worrying.
Sky News presenter Kay Burley has been on the receiving end of vile, misogynistic insults just for doing her job and pro-EU Tory MP Anna Soubry has been called a Nazi, surrounded by aggressive far right thugs, and prevented from entering Parliament.
Calling themselves the “Yellow Vests UK”, the pro-Brexit protesters started last month, when they blocked a series of bridges in central London, and they have been returning to Westminster on an almost daily basis.
SNP MPs have signed a crossparty letter calling on the Metropolitan Police to take action and ensure the safety of the public, the media, and those who work in Parliament. Protests can be a pillar of our democracy, where people can use public space to make a point or demand change – but the intimidation used by these far-right Brexit thugs poses a threat to our democracy.
Everyone should feel safe at their place of work and MPs and journalists must be able to do their job free from threats and violence.