Robert Jenrick has said an audience member at Reform’s Party conference who assaulted a protestor should be awarded a medal.
Last week, a number of protestors from the Climate Resistance group interrupted Nigel Farage’s keynote speech at the conference in Birmingham.
Shocking clips later went viral on social media showing some of the protestors being assaulted by those in the crowd.
This included a video of a woman being hit over the head with a crutch before having her hair pulledid that a Reform supporter who assaulted a protestor at Reform’s party conference should be given a medal.
In the days following the incidents, Jenrick gave a cold and callous response when asked if he condoned the actions of some members of the audience.
Now, Reform’s Treasury spokesman has gone on step further and said one of the pensioners should be “given a medal.”
During an appearance on Talk TV, Jenrick was asked by presenter Peter Cardwell if he would apologise to the woman.
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He said: “I’m not going to apologise. It’s an occupational if you’re a professional protester who goes into conferences, tries to disrupt the speech of the leader.
“Remember, this is a leader whose life has been threatened in recent times.”
When he was asked if it was acceptable for the woman to be hit in the face with a crutch, Jenrick said: “Come on. A professional protester is moaning that an old age pensioner knocked her with a crutch. It’s completely and utter ridiculous.”
Cardwell asked whether Jenrick had a “smidgeon of sympathy” for the woman, to which he said he did not.
The Newark MP then added: “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.”
On Wednesday, West Midlands Police confirmed it is opening an investigation into a number of assaults at the Reform conference.
In a statement, the force 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.”
West Midlands Police added: “We would urge people not to speculate about the identity of those involved, but to pass any relevant information to our investigators. All of the information is being reviewed, and we are in touch with the security team who were working at the event.
“We would urge anyone who witnessed what happened, or who was a victim, to get in touch as soon as possible via 101 or Live Chat on our website. Quote log 1106 of 3 September.”