Top Tory Jacob Rees-Mogg caught up in university brawl as angry students charge at supporters
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Tory MP Jacob Rees-Mogg has been caught in the middle of a fight at a university.
The outspoken Brexiteer appeared at a debate at Bristol University hosting by the University's Politics and International Relations Society (PAIRS).
But the meeting descended into violence as an angry mob of students charged forward and started pushing and throwing punches towards supporters of the Tory politician.
Mr Rees-Mogg can be seen in video footage trying to break up the violence and does not appear to be injured himself.
The North Somerset MP comes in between the aggressors, holding them at arm's length.
Someone who was present told the Daily Mirror: “About five people in balaclavas came in the back of the lecture theatre and started shouting.
“He went up to the back of the room and started talking to them. There was some kind of scuffle.
“The police were called and then they finally left and he carried on.”
A UWE student, Chloe Kaye, captured the incident on her phone, saying: "Huge amount of physical violence at a Jacob Rees Mogg speech in UWE Bristol".
(Image: PA)
A number of other people are seen filming the fight as well.
The Tory MP has told the Telegraph that he is "absolutely fine" and has "endured worse confrontations with The Guardian".
Mr Rees-Mogg claimed the students weren't there to listen to the debate and instead just wanted to stop the event.
He said they shouted "no platform for Tory scum".
He told The Telegraph: "I wanted to stop anyone being hit because the whole thing would have degenrated.
"I didn't think anyone was going to hit me so I felt quite safe intervening."
The university has issued a statement saying it is "appalled" at the actions of a "small number of attendees".
It added: "It is our understanding at this stage that a small group of protesters broke into the lecture theatre where the event was due to take place via the back doors.
"The police were called and our security attended. We understand that these protesters were not UWE Bristol students and did not have tickets for the event.
(Image: Reuters)
"The police are now working to identify the individuals.
"Once the situation was calmed, Mr Rees Mogg went ahead with his speech and was escorted back to his car after the event finished.
"Both security and the police stayed for the event to ensure everyone was safe.
"We support the democratic right of free speech and peaceful protest.
"However, we strongly condemn the actions of protesters who disruptued normal debate and behaved this way.
"There is no place for such action on a university campus or in a civilised society. We are delighted that Mr Rees Mogg was able to speak or debate with our legitimate student body in a respectful manner.
"We would like to thank him for his composure and actions to diffuse what must have been a challenging and unprovoked incident.
"We will work with the police to identify the individuals involved and take appropriate action."
Conservative Society Callum Tucker told the Guido Fawkes website: “I’m disappointed that uninvited individuals wearing balaclavas entered a private event in hostility.
"He was a gentleman who went to debate and understand them and they didn’t want to listen.
"Violence has no place in society and freedom of speech should be protected.”
Labour MP Angela Rayner has said she "utterly condemn[ed]" an apparent attempt to disrupt Mr Rees-Mogg's speech.
(Image: PA)
"It's extremely intimidating for any MP who travels alone to an event to be treated like this," she added in a tweet.
The UWE Politics and International Relations Society declined to comment.
The event had been planned in advance by the society who said on their Facebook page they had sold out of tickets in the first seven minutes that they went on sale.
The Facebook post said: "We're really humbled that we sold out the tickets in 7 minutes so we thank you for the support you've all given for this event!
"If you did not get a ticket, do not worry as there will be some more available this time next week so we'll post that immediately for everyone!"