Climate protesters at Mansion House

Field’s out of control aggression is inappropriate as a response to the particular situation he was in

I totally disagree.

She could have had anything concealed on her body, or a bottle of acid in her hand or bag. She posed a threat. She was out of place and there to create commotion. Their inappropriate presence would have created alarm, especially as they seemed to have by-passed any security there was.

Field acted instinctively and bravely in frog-marching her out of the room.

She was lucky not to have been forced to the ground and hand-cuffed. As we have mentioned, if she'd been in America or in a European country she may well have been shot and her friends would now be arranging her funeral, and seeing her as some sort of martyr.

But why would she have been an acid thrower? She was with a bunch of other women wearing red frocks with climate saving sashes. It must have been obvious what it was about.

I disagree that in the US or Europe she would have been shot. It's not that bad!

Right - so because she was wearing a red frock and a sash she was harmless and couldn't possibly have been a danger to anyone, well that makes sense . She was holding something in her hand (which could have been anything from a leaflet to a vial of acid) and was carrying a black bag - which as she had forced her way into the room would not have been searched.

The next time you are boarding a plane wear a red dress and sash, carry a black bag - do you think you will be allowed to pass through security unchecked because you are obviously no danger

But why would she have been an acid thrower?

By the same token, why would an intruder gate crash a gathering of politicians? Did any of them understand her intention? What WAS her intention? Did she intend to do harm? Who knows?

These are all unknowns, and please Gonegirldo not be so naive as to imagine a person in a frock wearing a sash HAS to be harmless.

After the event you can say that.

That's a totally different situation. Your post makes no sense.

(that to WadesNan)

All the other protestors were removed quietly and peacefully without any man-handling. Everyone knew who they were and knew they were peaceful. Mark Field grabbed a woman and used force to eject her he seemed absolutely familiar with the methods he used which might mean he has done it before.

Oh thank you - and snap WadesNan

Our posts crossed.

Gonegirl but you were saying because she wore a red dress and a sash it was obvious she was harmless - I was merely extrapolating the scenario of wearing a red dress and sash proving someone was harmless.

So, is no-one to be allowed to be within a stone's throw of any politician from now on, in case they are going to cause physical harm? |No shaking hands with anyone during the up-coming hustings?

What about the press people outside Boris's flat? Might they have something nasty hidden in a camera case?

There was obviously no bag searching being carried out at Mansion House.

Everyone knew who they were and knew they were peaceful.

How on earth can you say that with any certainty? You can't.

This individual was not searched so she could have had violent intentions. You just don't know - nor did Mark Field and the others gathered in the room.

People are making excuses for her stupid behaviour imo in order to vilify a right wing politician. It is pretty obvious.

Well certainly not anyone who forces their way into a private event and attempts to make their way to the most prominent politician in the room.

The red dress and the sash being the same as the other protestors, made it obvious she was simply a climate protestor.

I see your point, but I don't think it holds water in this case.

Never heard of a wolf in sheeps clothing? I don't think it would be too difficult for someone to join who wanted to carry out a violent attack.

So, is no-one to be allowed to be within a stone's throw of any politician from now on

Gonegirl - get it right.

This woman BROKE in and by-passed any security there might have been. She broke into a private dinner, a gathering of politicians.

So we should expect protesters in the House of Commons too? Any gathering of politicians in a private place should be open to strangers breaking in with their demands (and maybe guns, acid, bombs.)

Yes, sounds alright to Gonegirl

It is not the same thing, is it?

When politicians are out and about they must face any would-be demonstrators, but they should have been free from intrusion and demonstration at a private event in a prestigious land mark of a building.

Why security was so lax is what we should be asking.

No, of course not! She shouldn't have been in there. But we are talking about the way she was ejected.

And I'm glad she did it. Well done her.

Did she/they break in? It looked to me like they walked in along with other guests right past the so called security. From this incident they will learn that every event must be policed thoroughly, invites checked, bags searched, men's pockets turned out (never seen that happen) and armed guards present.
This man's response was way beyond appropriate. If his instinctive response is one of violence heaven help anyone walking behind him on the tube station. An extended video of the incident shows her walking between the two tables before turning round and coming towards his end. Why didn't he stand up and intercept her before she got as far as she did if he was that convinced she had a weapon? No-one else seemed perturbed by her presence. I don't think she was smiling and smirking on the way out. I think she was grimacing with pain. I wait to see if the Police take action as several people have complained.

Day6 - security was there - just outside the hall and she managed to get past them. Do you really think that the audience would enjoy eating their banquet with lots of burly security guards in the same room?

She didn't break in though. As for guests and heavy security, they would get used to it. They don't have to be in the actual dining room, just prevent others getting in who have no right to be there. We got used to all this in Northern Ireland. In the name of safety, one gets used to it. If you want to avoid guests having to take their own action isn't it a price worth paying?

Frankly, I hope they didn't enjoy their meal after watching that man grab that lady by the neck and forcibly eject her from the room. I would have left too after watching that had I been a guest.

Just imagine the scenario where the lady in red entered the room, no one dare confront her because she was female and she was wearing a suicide belt which she detonated killing all. A very possible scenario using the guise of a climate change protester to enter. She obviously had a different agenda to the other protesters who did not follow her.
It was obvious that the MP had a shock instinctive reaction. He was actually restrained in his actions, he could have floored her and pinned her to the ground. By escorting her out holding the back of her neck he executed the action with minimal bodily contact. He should not be pilloried for his actions.

Somebody with violent intent could certainly join a peaceful group/organisation, then just bide their time till opportunity knocks! What someone is wearing is no indication of their intentions anymore than anything else about them. Yes Mark Field could have stood in front of her barring her way, but then she could equally have shot or maimed him to make her point had that been her intention! She shouldn't have been there, so can hardly complain at being unceremoniously removed, particularly in the present climate!

Do you really think that the audience would enjoy eating their banquet with lots of burly security guards in the same room?

I didn't suggest that. How did she get into the building, and then the room, without being challenged or chased?

I imagine everyone at the banquet was there by invitation. Their names would have been on a list.

The woman wasn't. Why wasn't she challenged and how did she get into the room?

Those will be the questions asked of the lax security and I imagine lots of cctv footage will be inspected now.

Even those members of public in the gallery in the HOC, (who don't have a chance to 'have a go at' politicians, and are separated from them by a reinforced glass screen,) go through incredible checks before entering. There are police and cameras everywhere and plain clothes security people in place too, no doubt.

We live in a mad world full of 'victims' wanting what they see as violent justice. That woman could have been a victim wanting revenge, who knows? I find it appalling that she got that close to a private gathering of politicians so easily.

Once again this tale has turned into one of 'victim' and 'bully'. No surprises there.