Conservative MP Jacob Rees-Mogg mobbed by angry protesters in Birmingham

Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg received an unwelcome response from cost of living and climate change protesters as the Conservative Party conference got underway in Birmingham. 

Mr Rees-Mogg needed police protection as he was chased out of Victoria Square on Sunday afternoon.

The Conservative MP was met with a barrage of jeers and abuse by hundreds of protesters holding up placards and banners with slogans such as ‘Tory Lies Kill’ and ‘Cut War Not Welfare’.

Mr Rees-Mogg was booed and needed an escort of police officers as he walked from Victoria Square to Centenary Square with loud shouts of “Tory scum out of Brum” reverberating around the location.

The area was heaving with crowds of protesters who were voicing their anger at the government’s recent ‘mini-budget’ – which gives tax cuts to the rich – and the impact of rising energy prices on the cost of living which is forcing people to turn off heating and cut back on food as the winter season looms closer.

The Birmingham protest – organised by the People’s Assembly group – also took place nationwide, including London, with hundreds of thousands of people joining rallies up and down the country.

A spokesperson for West Midlands Police said: “Today, thousands of people supporting a variety of causes have exercised their right to protest in the city centre.”

Police also confirmed that the force had received allegations of a second Conservative MP had been “assaulted” but the MP in question was unharmed and had only been “approached by protesters” and no assault took place.

“To date, no one has been arrested in connection with any disorder relating to the conference, and no crimes have been reported to us,” said the police spokesperson.

WATCH | Business Secretary Jacob Rees-Mogg jeered and chased by protesters: