Reform UK member who hit feminine protester with crutch ‘ought to get a medal’ says Jenrick
Robert Jenrick, Nigel Farage’s Treasury spokesman, said a man seen swinging a metal crutch at two hecklers should be given a medal and said he felt sorry for him after pictures and video were widely shared
Robert Jenrick has said a Reform UK member who lashed out at two female hecklers with a metal crutch “should be given a medal”.
Mr Jenrick, Nigel Farage’s treasury spokesman, went on to say he felt sorry for the man after pictures and clips of him swinging the stick at two women were widely shared. Reform has faced heavy criticism after shocking footage showed protesters being assaulted by audience members when they interrupted Mr Farage’s speech on Friday.
West Midlands Police said it had reviewed the footage and urged the women to come forward. Mr Jenrick doubled down as he was asked whether the man should be suspended.
The Reform MP said: “I’m not going to apologise. Look, it’s an occupational hazard. If you’re a professional protester who goes into conferences, tries to disrupt a speech of the leader – and remember, this is a leader whose life has been threatened in recent times…”
He was interrupted by host Peter Cardwell, who asked whether it was reasonable for a protester to be “walloped over the face” with a crutch. Mr Jenrick responded: “Come on. A professional protester is moaning that an old age pensioner knocked her with a crutch.
“I mean, come on, honestly, I just think it’s completely and utterly ridiculous.” Mr Cardwell pointed out that her hair was pulled and asked if Mr Jenrick had a smidgen of sympathy.
The Reform high-flyer responded: “I don’t have any sympathy for her, no. In fact, I’m sorry for the OAP who’s had his picture plastered all over the papers. He should be given a medal for what he did.”
Mr Cardwell responded: “Fair dos, at least you’re honest.” He was heavily criticised at the weekend after saying the protesters should “get a life”.
A sickening clip shows a woman being hit around the head with a crutch before her hair is pulled and a hand put over her mouth at the party conference. The grey haired man seen assaulting her was not a member of the event’s security team.
Another woman from the crowd can be seen pulling the protester’s hair as guards escorted her from Birmingham’s NEC. And in a separate clip the man is seen swinging his crutch at another female heckler after she shouted during Mr Farage’s speech.
The protesters were members of campaign group Climate Action. Earlier this week spokesman Sam Simons said: “We were horrified to see the violence exhibited by Reform members, but what is even more sickening is hearing these incendiary and insensitive comments from party leaders. It’s clear that misogyny and hatred within Reform goes right to the top – they try to con the British public with rhetoric about ‘protecting women and girls’ whilst cheering on those who attack women. It’s absolutely shameful – but also unsurprising from a party that only works in the interests of the elite.
“In a democratic society, people must be able to exercise their right to peaceful protest without fear for their safety. We should be able to criticise Reform’s dodgy dealings and billionaire backing without being violently attacked. We expect a full, public apology from Jenrick and Anderson, and an immediate retraction of their incendiary comments.”
Asked by The Mirror whether those involved should face consequences during a debate about free speech, Nadine Dorries said those who disrupt speakers should not expect to be treated gently and said it was “shocking” that protesters had been there.
Ms Dorries, who was Tory Culture Secretary under Boris Johnson before defecting to Reform, said: “Somebody said to me it was shocking to see protesters being treated the way they were. I think what was also shocking was the way they thought they could come into the conference and try to derail Nigel Farage’s speech.”
And she went on: “If you’re going to come into a conference like this… of course you’re not going to get gentle treatment.”
Her remarks came after The Mirror asked if those who assaulted protesters should face consequences. Reform’s home affairs spokesman, Zia Yusuf, responded: “To the question from The Mirror about whether I condemn people punching people, yes I do condemn people punching people.”
In a statement West Midlands Police said: “We are investigating assaults on five people which took place on 4 September, as a number of people were removed from the conference hall by other members of the public.
“To date, none of the victims involved have come forward. We continue to encourage them to do so. A number of suspects have been identified as the investigation progresses.
“We have reviewed footage showing the incidents as we work to establish the full facts. We are also aware that names of people allegedly involved in the assaults are circulating in the media and on social media.
“We would urge people not to speculate about the identity of those involved, but to pass any relevant information to our investigators.”
