Labour MP Diane Abbott was surrounded by police as she left the House of Commons amid a clash of Brexit supporters and pro-EU demonstrators. One attempted to interrogate her decision to vote for the Letwin amendment to block a vote on Boris Johnson’s deal, but she continued to ignore him. She remained silent as officers from the London Metropolitan Police, who have been relentlessly dealing with protesters from Extinction Rebellion for two straight weeks, escorted her off the premises and towards a stage where she demanded a so-called People’s Vote on the deal.
Earlier in the day, Ms Abbott sparked a frenzy of online jokes after appearing to fall asleep on national TV during the heated Brexit deal debate.
The incredible moment saw Diane Abbott appear to “nod off” during Sir Keir Starmer’s remarks on the controversial Letwin amendment.
The footage was broadcast live on Sky News and the BBC, which almost immediately set off a Twitter frenzy.
Brexit Party MEP Lance Forman tweeted that Diane Abbott was “practising her maths skills and counting sheep” during the crunch Commons session on the Brexit deal.
Ms Abbott was granted a police escort as she passed furious pro-Brexit demonstrators (Image: TWITTER)
Jacob Rees-Mogg and his 12-year-old son needed a police escort (Image: GETTY)
One user tweeted: “Diane Abbott obviously more interested in 40 winks than Brexit.”
Another said: “Diane Abbott giving the crucial Brexit debate the utmost scrutiny.”
Other remarks on Twitter joked that Labour’s Brexit Secretary Keir Starmer, who was speaking at the time, is “very boring to be fair”.
But Ms Abbott was not alone in getting police assistance after the shock vote condemned by Brexiteers.
In disturbing scenes Brexiteer Jacob Rees-Mogg and his 12-year-old son were verbally abused by pro-EU and People’s Vote marchers as they too left Parliament.
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Mr Rees-Mogg’s London home has also been targeted with protesters banging on his door, promoting a police cordon.
Fellow Brexiteer Andrea Leadsom was also hounded by pro-EU demonstrators and along with Michael Gove, she had a police cordon also.
She took to Twitter to air her frustrations.
She said: “Thank goodness for our superb police. Just walked home safely from HoC with their protection – why do the so called ‘People’s Vote’ protesters think it’s ok to abuse, intimidate and scream in the face of someone they don’t agree with? So frightening, and so grateful to the police.”
Her tweet was hijacked by Labour MP Dawn Butler.
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Michael Gove also needed a police escort (Image: GETTY)
She said: “Hi Andrea – Glad you and Michael got back home safely.
“I also felt intimidated by the Brexit supporting crowds shouting. The police thankfully cornered them off.
“I think it’s important that we encourage all side to disagree respectfully.
“And MPs watch our language and tone.”
The chaos comes as organisers of a People’s Vote claim more than one million people are marching in favour of one in London.
Oliver Letwin’s amendment passed and delayed the meaningful vote (Image: GETTY)
The numbers are yet to be confirmed.
This follows Mr Johnson warning MPs the chances of a no deal Brexit will rocket after they voted through Oliver Letwin’s amendment today amid the Prime Minister refusing to negotiate a delay with the EU.
This follows Mr Johnson warning MPs the chances of a no deal Brexit will rocket after they voted through Oliver Letwin’s amendment today amid the Prime Minister refusing to negotiate a delay with the EU.
Former Tory Cabinet minister Oliver Letwin’s amendment blocked approval for Mr Johnson’s deal until legislation requiring the UK’s withdrawal from the EU has become law looks likely to be passed.
This will prevent Mr Johnson from holding his meaningful Brexit deal vote today.
This follows Mr Johnson warning MPs the chances of a no deal Brexit will rocket (Image: GETTY)
But the Prime Minister said after the results came out: “I will not negotiate a delay with the EU and neither does the law compel me to do so.”
As a result of the amendment passing, the vote was called off, with Mr Johnson himself dubbing it the “meaningless vote” instead.
The Conservatives confirmed he will not ask for a delay.
