London - May's office said she saw the footage and found it "concerning."
- AP
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Updated: Sat 22 Jun 2019, 2:25 AM
British Prime Minister Theresa May's office suspended Foreign Office Minister Mark Field on Friday while an investigation takes place into his treatment of a climate change protester at the gala Mansion House dinner.
The City of London Police, the Cabinet Office and the governing Conservative Party are all looking into the incident that took place on Thursday night at the annual black-tie event that showcases the financial industry. May's office said she saw the footage and found it "concerning."
Treasury chief Philip Hammond was speaking when activists, wearing red dresses and sashes reading "Climate Change Emergency," began milling around tables at the event. Video shows the female protester walking forward toward Hammond when Field blocks her path. He then pushes her into a pillar to turn her around and places his hand firmly on her neck as he leads her away.
The Greenpeace activist involved in the altercation, Janet Barker, described Field's as "over the top."
"I expected to maybe engage in a conversation or two with people, perhaps people blocking my way," she told the BBC. "But certainly not to be grabbed round the neck." She said she wouldn't press charges, but suggested he take an anger management course. -
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