An angry anti-lockdown mob has been filmed hounding BBC journalist Nick Watt while he was walking around Westminster earlier today.
The Political Editor of Newsnight was spotted walking close to Downing Street with a mask on when he was confronted by thugs who screamed in his face.
In footage shared widely online Watt can be seen holding a black notepad with a BBC lanyard around his neck.
As he walks away from Downing Street people follow him with a man in a leather waistcoat shouting at him.
Others can be heard shouting: "Why have you lied?".
As more people followed Watt along the road he decided to turn around and make his way back to Downing Street where police officers were standing.
Thugs started to boo and scream at Watt as he ran towards the police line and the gates of Downing Street.
Others shouted, "Shame on you".
People took to Twitter to slam the protesters for confronting Watt on the street.
Journalist Jess Brammer wrote: "The video of Nick Watt being chased and abused by a mob is absolutely horrifying - am torn about RTing it as it’s upsetting and I don’t know how Nick feels about it, but huge solidarity with him. It’s disgusting, he’s doing his job.
"I know the BBC will be rightly furious about it."
Former BBC journalist and now head of GB News Andrew Neil tweeted: "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."
BBC reporter Marianna Spring said: "Protesters opposing restrictions - many inspired by online conspiracies about the pandemic and vaccines - harassing the brilliant Nick Watt. Horrible scenes - and evidence of how online threats are spilling offline. Protests I've experienced extreme threats for reporting on."
While Sky News anchor Adam Boulton said: "These sorts of encounters are becoming commonplace for reporters in #ageofrage. All support to NIck Watt @BBCNewsnight."
A spokesperson for the BBC said: "This behaviour is completely unacceptable. All journalists should be able to carry out their work without intimidation or impediment."
