Anti-lockdown protesters have been blasted after footage emerged of them aggressively harassing a senior BBC journalist.

Newsnight’s political editor Nicholas Watt was sworn at, chased and physically intimidated during a demonstration near Downing Street on Monday.

Wearing a BBC lanyard, Mr Watt was forced to run through the mob beyond a line of police officers as people shouted ‘traitor’ and other foul-mouthed slurs at him.

The incident has provoked a chorus of criticism and expressions of solidarity with Mr Watt, who tries to escape the abuse and leave the area.

But others also questioned why the Metropolitan Police did ‘nothing’ as the scene unfolded.

Matthew Garrahan, the Financial Times’ news editor, tweeted: ‘Serious questions for the police here who stood by and did nothing while a mob of nutters intimidated and shoved a journalist.’

Crowds had gathered in Westminster to protest against the Government’s extension of coronavirus restrictions in England by four weeks before turning on Mr Watt.

Warning: Explicit language

The prominent journalist Jess Brammar said: ‘This is what stoking up hatred (not criticism, that’s completely different) against journalists and the BBC looks like.

‘You know who you are if you’ve played that game. I hope you have the decency to feel a bit of shame about it.’

In the footage, Mr Watt can be seen ignoring the demonstrators and trying to walk away before breaking into a run.

Various people try to intimidate him and a number touch him and shout abuse in his face without wearing a face mask or social distancing.

The BBC said in a statement: ‘This behaviour is completely unacceptable.

‘All journalists should be able to carry out their work without intimidation or impediment.’

The organisation’s specialist disinformation reporter Marianna Spring added in a tweet: ‘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.’

Jo Stevens MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: ‘This extremely disturbing footage showing clear intimidation of a journalist while carrying out his job is absolutely unacceptable and should be condemned in the strongest terms.

‘It is shocking that a BBC lanyard makes someone a target like this.’

Metro.co.uk has contacted the Metropolitan Police for comment.

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