Mark Field: Tory MP gave speech about making women feel 'safe and protected' weeks before grabbing female protester around neck

'Women are also exposed to risks by virtue of being women; from sexual abuse, harassment, to domestic abuse and hostility in the work place'

Tory MP Mark Field gave a speech about the rights of women to be safe from harm just weeks before grabbing a female protester around the neck and pinning her to a pillar.

Footage shows the moment the foreign office minister manhandled the climate change protester after she interrupted Philip Hammond’s Mansion House speech.

In a statement, Mr Field said he deeply regretted his actions and “unreservedly” apologised to the woman.

“But in the current climate I felt the need to act decisively to close down the threat to the safety of those present," he said.

The incident follows a speech six weeks ago in which Mr Field spoke as part of a parliamentary debate focusing on the work of human rights defenders around the world.

In the address, which has been widely shared on social media in the wake of the incident on Thursday night, he referred to the often life-threatening challenges faced by many, in particular women, in the field, as well as in wider society.

“Women are also exposed to risks by virtue of being women; from sexual abuse, harassment, to domestic abuse and hostility in the work place," he said.

“In these circumstances it takes, of course, even more courage and even more strength and even more resilience to stand up to the powerful.”

The MP for Cities of London & Westminster said the UK remained committed to ensuring women remained safe.

“We should all be proud that the UK remains committed to helping women all over the world feel safe and protected in the work that they do so they are able to speak very freely, and to be part of the change that we all wish to see.

“We want a world in which those fighting to improve human rights can do so without fear of discrimination violence or retaliation.”