The man who stepped in to defend Jacob Rees-Mogg as he was confronted by masked protesters once dressed up in a Nazi SS uniform, it has been revealed.

Paul Townsley, who was attending a debate involving the Conservative MP, became involved in a scuffle with demonstrators and appeared to hit out at a woman.

Shortly after the incident at Bristol's University of West of England, a photograph emerged of Mr Townsley dressed in full Nazi regalia at a 'family do'.

The martial arts instructor claimed the photograph was taken at a fancy dress party, while his wife Linda said the image had led to harassment from left-wing activists.

Shortly after the incident at Bristol's University of West of England, a photograph emerged of Paul Townsley (pictured) dressed in full Nazi regalia at a 'family do'

Paul Townsley, who was attending a debate involving the Conservative MP, became involved in a scuffle with demonstrators and appeared to hit out at a woman

She told The Times: 'We are fed up with being intimidated and have called police.

'He dressed up [in the SS uniform] for a family do. He is a good man and a lot of people would support that.'

Mrs Townsley, 53, said her husband intervened as he feared for the MP's safety, following the murder of Jo Cox at the hand of a right-wing extremist in 2016.

'If one of protesters had a knife he would have been a hero,' she added.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Townsley said: 'He was vulnerable. From the guy in the sunglasses' body language he was getting more aggressive and getting into Mr Rees-Mogg's personal space.

'It was a disgraceful event. I'm going to write a letter to [the university] asking why there was no security.

The martial arts instructor claimed the photograph was taken at a fancy dress party, while his wife Linda said the image had led to harassment from left-wing activists

Mrs Townsley, 53, said her husband intervened as he feared for the MP's safety, following the murder of Jo Cox at the hand of a right-wing extremist in 2016

'I went along with my son who studies politics. He should not be subjected to that behaviour.

'At the entrance there were two students behind a desk who you handed tickets to before going in.'

Irish-born Mr Townsley, who left Belfast because of the Troubles, said: 'I was worried about Mr Rees-Mogg's safety. I knew there was no security.'

Responding to allegations that he hit out at a female protester, the martial arts expert said: 'I didn't hit anybody.

'She was too close and I put my hand up to protect myself. She wanted to be there.

'People will think what they want to think. I never hit anybody. She got so close that I could feel spittle in my face and I put my hand up to stop it.

The 'man in the white shirt' accused of hitting out at a female protester at a Jacob Rees-Mogg speech earlier this week has said he stepped in to protect the MP due to a lack of security

Paul Townsley, pictured, said: 'It was a disgraceful event. I'm going to write a letter to UWE asking why there was no security'

'They broke in, in masks, I was intimidated but I was not going to back down to bullying or intimidation.'

He denied being a grey haired man pictured standing behind Mr Rees Mogg in a photograph taken on a separate occasion.

Mr Townsley, a 'working class family man' who lives in, Bristol, added: 'If you don't like what someone's saying you vote against it.

'That's democracy. The only good thing to come out of the altercation was that nobody got hurt.

'I'm not a fan of politicians, I think they should be questioned at every opportunity.'