Politicians are turning down TV interviews outside Parliament for fear of being abused by intimidating far-right protesters, MailOnline can reveal today.
Adam Boulton, Sky News Editor-at-large, said today that some MPs have been put off talking to the media in the open after Anna Soubry was verbally abused and called a 'Nazi'.
Yellow vest-wearing Brexit supporters have spent almost two months chasing pro-EU activists, politicians and journalists down the street, shouting insults.
Welsh Tory MP David Davies today revealed he wears a body camera to protect himself from threatening protesters - and have evidence if they attack him.
Mr Boulton admitted he has been regularly abused, including about his weight, while his colleagues have been verbally assaulted because they are women or not white.
He told MailOnline today: ‘It hasn’t been very pleasant. I, myself, was abused with taunts like “why don’t you go to WeightWatchers” but far worse was the same group shouting “you’re not British” to our political editor Faisal Islam.
Adam Boulton, Sky News Editor-at-large, told MailOnline today that MPs no longer want to interviewed on College Green because of the levels of intimidation
David Davies, MP for Monmouth in Wales, (pictured yesterday) said he has resorted to carrying the device after protesters swore and branded him 'scum' and shoved flagposts in his face
The tents and stages used by the BBC and Sky on College Green were left empty yesterday as broadcasters kept their stars and MPs indoors to avoid abuse
Pro and anti Brexit protesters angrily clash with each other outside parliament as they continue their noisy demonstrations (pictured, today) - while MPs inside Westminster debated Brexit
A band of pro EU protesters have gathered outside Parliament on College Green where they have been noisily protesting (pictured, today)
‘They operate very similar to football yobs in that their concerted chanting is a ploy to disrupt our broadcasting and to verbally intimidate politicians being interviewed.
‘It’s got to the stage now that some MPs won’t come out to talk to us because they fear it’d be an unpleasant encounter'.
Mr Boulton said: 'The same small group was here in the build up to Christmas and they returned on Monday afternoon, behaving in the same way.
Sky News Political Editor Faisal Islam (pictured) was racially abused but nobody was arrested
‘There is nothing wrong with protesting, there has always been demonstrations in Westminster but the moment you try to stifle views that are different to your own, that crosses a line.
‘We know that they’re filming their activities and Facebook yesterday took the decision to take down a page they were linked to.
‘They are playing to a niche market via social media and hoping to build on their notoriety.
‘Fortunately this morning, no doubt due to the media coverage and the strengthening of the police presence, it’s all been very calm so far.’
The BBC and Sky News kept their top stars away from Westminster for 24 hours yesterday.
Right-wing rabble rousers chanted ‘Nazi’ at remain-supporting Tory MP Anna Soubry as she was interviewed live on TV on Monday before lying in wait to pursue and harass her through Westminster.
They also surrounded left wing commentator Owen Jones, calling him a ‘communist bully’ and a ‘lying little toad’.‘
Both Pro-EE protestors and Brexit supporters maintained a peaceful presence outside Parliament and College Green, where towering TV gantries have been erected, but there was no hint of the disturbances which erupted two days ago.
At least four police vans were positioned around Parliament Green with several officers on patrol.
MailOnline understands that production staff working for the major broadcasters have also been targeted by yellow-vest protesters in recent weeks.
One, who wished to remain anonymous, said: ‘We’re subjected to similar levels of abuse and intimidation.
‘You get sneered at by them, particularly when they see us looking after the guests. They shout “you’re just a lapdog” and get quite worked up about it.’
The pro Brexit MP David Davies (pictured yesterda) said the footage captures the abuse and protects him from false accusations from the mobs outside Parliament
More uniformed police officer have been sent to patrol outside parliament today (pictured) as MPs and journalists have complained of threats and intimidation by protesters furious at their opinions on Brexit
Protesters, draped in EU flags, have resumed their protest outside the House of Commons today (pictured). It comes amid growing controversy over the abuse and threats thrown at MPs as they are interviewed by the press outside Parliament
Protesters donning yellow vests were back outside protesting about Brexit - despite widespread anger at the abuse hurled by Tory MP and leading Remainer Anna Soubry on Monday
David Davies, MP for Monmouth in Wales, said he has resorted to wearing a body camera after protesters swore and branded him 'scum' and shoved flagposts in his face.
The Met Officer in charge of policing Westminster admitted they still don't know if calling someone a Nazi is an offence.
DAC Laurence Taylor (pictured) said his officers are still studying footage of the abuse of Ms Soubry.
He was asked directly: 'Is it a criminal offence to call someone a Nazi?'
He then told LBC: 'That is part of the assessment we are undertaking and we need to understand if language such as that meets the criminal threshold'.
Critics quickly responded to his comments and said: 'You'd think they'd have figured that out by now?' and another tweeted: 'Trying to decide! Almost every patrol cop in the country deals with this on a daily basis... Basics'
Police near Parliament have been 'briefed to intervene appropriately' if the law is broken after Tory MP Anna Soubry accused them of ignoring abuse.
The pro-EU Tory made the allegation the day after she was branded a 'Nazi' and a 'liar' by a mob who targeted her during live television interviews and then followed her as she made her way back into the Commons.
Metropolitan Police Deputy Assistant Commissioner Laurence Taylor said: 'An ongoing policing operation at the Parliamentary estate around Brexit continues and we have an appropriate policing plan in place.
'Our role is to facilitate peaceful protest and balance the needs and rights of all those present, including protesters, MPs and members of the public.
'We will deal robustly with incidents of harassment and abuse against anyone where that harassment or abuse constitutes a criminal offence.
'Officers in the area have been briefed to intervene appropriately where they hear or see breaches of the law.'
The Brexiteer said the footage captures the abuse and protects him from false
