Brexit march London: MPs report being abused and called ‘traitors’ by Leave protesters

MPs have reported being abused by Brexit protesters around Parliament during a march in Westminster today. 

Cross-party MPs claimed they had been called a “traitor” by demonstrators during Friday’s march, which saw thousands of people descend on Westminster.

Some claimed they had been warned to “take great caution” as they left Parliament on Friday. 

MP for Edinburgh South West Joanna Cherry QC said she felt relief at being able to make it home.

The SNP MP said: “Very relieved to be safely back to my base in London. Was abused by trailing ends of the Leave Means Leave protest as I walked home. Called a traitor.

“Told to go back to my own country. Such a contrast from [the] People’s Vote March last weekend.”

While Labour MP for Wigan, Lisa Nandy said on Twitter she was “accosted” outside Parliament before the vote.

She wrote: “Today outside Parliament I and others were accosted by people shouting f****** traitor as we tried to get in to vote.

“Our staff were advised to leave the building for their own safety. There were armed police everywhere. This is not normal.”

Danielle Rowley MP tweeted: “While the far right are marching outside parliament, MP’s are being advised to take great caution as they leave, and some have received horrific abuse and threats – this is a disgusting whipping up of hate.”

Parliamentary staff had earlier been emailed advising them to leave Parliament before the protest began, according to reports. 

The Metropolitan Police told the Standard they had not received any criminal reports from MPs about alleged abuse.

Replying to Ms Cherry, MP for Glasgow South Stewart McDonald said: “This is the worst I’ve seen it yet. Venomous abuse & threatening behaviour. I passed someone this morning yelling at a woman to ‘get out of my country’. In fairness, the pro-Brexit protesters who are here daily tend to be forthright but polite. This is a different crowd all together.”

Friday’s march saw huge crowds of activists with Union Jack flags, placards and banners fill the roads outside Parliament.

The March to Leave, which began in Sunderland two weeks ago, arrived in Parliament Square this afternoon.

A separate ‘Make Brexit Happen’ rally also featured at the demonstration, with speeches from Ukip leader Gerard Batten and English Defence League founder Robinson.