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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
National

Pro-Brexit 'yellow jacket' protesters 'shouted racist abuse' at Sky journalist Faisal Islam

Journalist Faisal Islam has said he faced racist abuse while reporting on Brexit.

Mr Islam, political editor at Sky News, posted a message on Twitter on Monday saying that people had been calling out saying he was "not British" and "a rapist" while he was working.

He started by tweeting: "Breaking: On @skynews now: if PM does not announce a date for meaningful vote Today Corbyn will announce no confidence vote IN PM."

He then followed it up by saying: "Whilst reporting that some pro Brexit campaigners in yellow jackets were shouting misogynist stuff at Kay and that I was "not British" and "a rapist" ... well done all who helped create this situation. Good job."

Sky presenter Kay Burley, who said she had also faced some insults, retweeted his message, and said: "Their mothers must be so proud."

The presenter, who turned 58 today, shared a photograph of a man and said: "This charmer repeatedly screamed I was a slag during my programme today."

"I prefer Birthday Girl," she added.

Journalist Tom Harwood was among those who praised Ms Burley’s handling of the situation, writing: “Kay Burley is an absolute hero for professionally putting up with increasingly insufferable protesters for hours on end… on her birthday!”

It comes after a clash on Sky News earlier in the day during which Tory MP David Davies was branded “patronising” and ordered off the programme by Ms Burley.

Tory MP David Davies on Sky News with Labour's Anna Turley (Sky News)

Mr Davies complained he was not getting a chance to respond during the debate with Labour’s Anna Turley, who was explaining the impact Brexit was expected to have on her constituency’s economy.

Mr Davies then pulled out his phone, telling Mr Turley: “I’ll check my phone while you have a little chat okay, you carry on.”

Ms Burley told Mr Davies: “Let’s not be patronising, that is completely unacceptable, please don’t speak to her in that fashion.” Again he complained: “I can’t get a word in.”

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