Nick Watt was pursued by an angry mob
(Picture: YouTube)A BBC journalist has been inundated with support after he was chased by a group of aggressive anti-lockdown protesters in a shocking confrontation caught on camera.
In the footage, captured in Westminster, Nicholas Watt, the political editor of Newsnight, was seen running from an angry mob who were screaming “traitor” and “shame on you” as they pursued him down the street.
“Why have you lied and said that lockdowns are legal?” one asked. “How can it be legal to lock people in their house?”
Another put his hand on Watt’s shoulder and screamed “run you f**king c**t”.
Watt then ran towards police to keep him safe before he walked towards Downing Street.
Following the incident, people have come out in support of Watt and have slammed the mob who pursued him.
Conservative MP Steve Baker said it was “outrageous”:
Outrageous - what on earth were they thinking?
— Steve Baker MP FRSA (@SteveBakerHW) June 15, 2021
Guido Fawkes said:
This is as stupid as it is shameful. #Newsnight's political editor @nicholaswatt is a reporter. A free press unhindered by the mob is essential in a democracy. He should not be a target for anger. https://t.co/RYFmKTP3Hn
— Media Guido (@MediaGuido) June 15, 2021
Former BBC journalist and now GB News boss Andrew Neil added:
Disgraceful treatment of @BBCNewsnight Nick Watt. A fine reporter and good friend. Subjected to the intimidation and thuggery of the mob. Simply terrible. Solidarity with Nick. https://t.co/rEjooI9IvV
— Andrew Neil (@afneil) June 15, 2021
Other journalists also expressed their support for Watt:
Thugs. That must have been so scary for Nick Watt. Hope he’s ok. https://t.co/Jfs5eETIsu
— Kirsty Strickland (@KirstyStricklan) June 15, 2021
These anti-lockdown nutcases assailing Nick Watt from Newsnight are absolute scum https://t.co/aDwG8O9GnH
— Tony McDonough (@tonymc39) June 15, 2021
What happened to Nick Watt is far from an isolated incident, as many news reporters will confirm. I was at a job only a few weeks ago where broadcasters were harassed by aggressive anti-lockdowners (though on a smaller scale). BBC journalists kindly shared their security with me
— Robyn Vinter (@RobynVinter) June 15, 2021
Solidarity with BBC journo Nick Watt. I get that people are angry & frustrated, but this is beyond the pale. We seem to have imported a dangerous little strain of Trumpian madness - don’t attack the press just because you can’t handle reality https://t.co/NWYZXwTu4S
— Rupert Myers (@RupertMyers) June 15, 2021
These sorts of encounters are becoming commonplace for reporters in #ageofrage. All support to NIck Watt @BBCNewsnight https://t.co/8JzAcBlrLU
— Adam Boulton (@adamboultonSKY) June 15, 2021
The incident happened yesterday, before Boris Johnson announced delays to ‘freedom day’ due to rising cases of coronavirus potentially outpacing the vital work vaccines are doing to break the link between cases and hospitalisations.
And the footage was captured by ‘Resistance GB’ which describes itself as a ‘journalism’ website providing “news which the mainstream won’t show you”. The person filming the video was involved in the pile-on and asked Watt: “How do you sleep at night?”
indy100 has approached the Metropolitan Police to comment on the incident.
No-one should have to go through this while trying to do their job.
