Foreign Office minister Mark Field is facing calls to resign after he was filmed forcibly removing a climate change protester from a dinner for City grandees last night.

The video clip shows Mr Field stopping a Greenpeace activist by pushing her against a column before holding her at the back of the neck and marching her out of the room.

Protesters wearing red dresses stormed the annual Bankers and Merchants Dinner at Mansion House as Chancellor Philip Hammond delivered a speech on the 'state of UK politics' and how Brexit could impact the UK economy.

Mr Field, a married father of two, is heard on the video saying: 'Can you get this person out?' and 'that way' as the woman responds 'I'm sorry, please' and 'It's a peaceful protest.'

After footage of the incident emerged last night, Mr Field released a statement saying he had referred himself to the Cabinet Office for investigation.

Conservative Party chairman Brandon Lewis confirmed today that the party will investigate the incident, as Mr Field apologised 'unreservedly' saying he 'deeply regretted' his actions.

The City of London Police said they have received a 'small number of third party reports of an assault taking place' and confirmed they are 'being looked into.'

The incident has sparked fury on social media as furious MPs called for him to be sacked from his role in the foreign office.

But former Army officer and Tory MP Johnny Mercer, who served in Afghanistan, was among those that defended his actions, saying: 'If you think this is 'serious violence', you may need to recalibrate your sensitivities.'

In a statement Mr Field, MP for the Cities of London and Westminster, said: 'A major security breach occurred at the dinner I attended last night when a large number of protesters suddenly and noisily stormed into Mansion House.

'In the confusion many guests understandably felt threatened and when one protester rushed past me towards the top table I instinctively reacted.

'There was no security present and I was for a split-second genuinely worried she might have been armed.

'As a result I grasped the intruder firmly in order to remove her from the room as swiftly as possible.

'I deeply regret this episode and unreservedly apologise to the lady concerned for grabbing her but in the current climate I felt the need to act decisively to close down the threat to the safety of those present.

Foreign office minister Mark Field was caught on camera forcefully grabbing a female Greenpeace protester at the Mansion House dinner in London

He was then seen grabbing her around the neck, pictured, as he ejected her

The Foreign Office minister for Asia and the Pacific added to ITV: 'In view of the publicity around this incident I am referring myself to the Cabinet Office to examine whether there has been a breach of the ministerial code, and will of course co-operate fully with their investigation.'

Who is Foreign Office minister Mark Field? Foreign Office minister Mark Field has held a number of ministerial roles since being elected as a Member of Parliament in 2001. He joined the Conservative frontbench two years after first winning a seat in the Commons, taking on the role of Opposition Whip. Later the same year, he was appointed shadow minister for London, and roles as shadow financial secretary to the Treasury and shadow minister for culture and the arts swiftly followed. But it was after the 2017 election that he took on one of his most prominent positions to date, as minister of state for Asia and the Pacific at the Foreign Office. In that role, Mr Field has spoken out on issues as wide-ranging as Britain's interventions in Iraq and Libya, the collapse of an international nuclear treaty and the plight of the Muslim Rohingya in Burma. Most recently, he spoke in the Commons about Hong Kong's controversial extradition bill, warning that it could have a 'chilling effect' on rights and freedoms. According to his official website, Mr Field has a particular interest in British relations with China and Russia. The 54-year-old, born in Germany in October 1964, was educated at Reading School and later completed a degree in law at Oxford. He practised as a solicitor before his political career began and was an elected councillor in the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea. In September 2010, Mr Field became the youngest MP on the Intelligence and Security Committee, which oversees the work of Britain's intelligence services, and he was later made a Privy Counsellor in recognition of his work on the committee. He has also served as vice chairman (International) of the Conservative Party. A father-of-two, he lives in Westminster with his wife Vicki, son Frederick, born in 2007, and daughter Arabella, born in 2011. His website lists his interests as urban walking, pop music and researching local London history, and he is also said to be a lifelong sports fan. Advertisement

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, Mr Lewis said: 'I've spoken to the chief whip this morning and there will be an investigation from our end.'

He said it was 'very hard to defend' the footage, adding: 'It's hard for anybody to look at that and not be astonished at what they have seen.'

But he said the investigation would look into the 'full details of what happened'.

Areeba Hamid, from Greenpeace accused Mr Field of assault today, saying he 'should have a long hard stare at himself and think whether that behaviour is in keeping with someone in public office.'

She told BBC Breakfast: 'When she came back last night I did meet her briefly.

'She was still in shock obviously but has been reassured by the outpouring of support she's been seeing online and she is recovering from what was a very busy night for her and other activists.

'We went into that event announcing who we were very clearly, we were there to make a very important point - that we are in a climate emergency - to a roomful of people who are actually capable of making some very profound decisions.

She said the activist is trained and experienced in non-violent direct action.

She added: 'What she signed up for - as have other activists - is legal consequences. They are putting their freedom at risk. But what they have not signed up for is physical assault.

She said it was 'quite ludicrous' to suggest that the protester might have been armed.

Labour Party and the Liberal Democrats have called for the government to suspend or sack him.

Shadow women and equalities minister Dawn Butler said the footage was 'horrific' and highlighted that he 'should be immediately suspended or sacked'.

She added: 'Conservative Foreign Office Minister Mark Field violently grabs a woman as she protests about climate change at the bankers' banquet.

'This appears to be assault. He must be immediately suspended or sacked. Due to Violence against women.

'I'm sure I'm not the only one who is wondering why no one intervened. So much violence does not seem justified. An investigation needs to take place as soon as possible.'

Mark Field (pictured) was filmed last night at the annual dinner pushing a woman against a pillar

Former cabinet minister Ed Davey, who is also a Lib Dem leader candidate said: 'The sight of some penguin-suited Tory minister behaving in a violent way towards a female Greenpeace activist absolutely stinks. Shame on you.'

Labour MP Jess Phillips tweeted: 'She posed no credible threat from what I can see.

'There is very little else that could justify this and anyone can see that this could have been done without physical contact.

'Every MP has to deal with protest and conflict, it is done with words. To watch this is so so awful.'

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan tweeted: 'It is truly shocking to see this kind of behaviour from an MP.

'Violence against women is endemic in our society and this behaviour is unacceptable. He should consider his position. I welcome the fact the City of London Police are looking into this incident.'

Former Labour Home Secretary Jacqui Smith told Good Morning Britain: 'I think that it was perfectly possible for him to deal with that woman in a way that didn't involve gripping her around the neck

'I don't think it's true there was no security there.

Following the protest the Chancellor continued with his speech where he mentioned the state of politics in the UK

'I don't think I would have grabbed somebody by the throat. My response to what I've seen is that I think he over-reacted.'

Lib Dem MP Chuka Umunna described Mr Field's actions as 'totally unacceptable' while Independent MP Sarah Wollaston said it was 'Absolutely shameful, a male MP marching a woman out of a room by her neck.'

Greenpeace activists wore Suffragettes style sashes as they bypass security at Mansion House Greenpeace said 40 of its volunteers went to 'flash-mob' Chancellor Philip Hammond during his speech at Mansion House. The activists all wore red evening dresses, with 'Suffragette-style' sashes emblazoned with the words 'climate emergency.' A protester wearing a red evening dress with the Suffragette style sashes being led away by security The environmental campaign group said they wanted to 'hijack the microphone and give the speech we all need in a climate emergency.' It is unclear how they were able to bypass security at Mansion House, and make their way into the Egyptian Hall, where the event was taking place. Advertisement

Alistair Burt, a former colleague of Mr Field said that he 'would answer for himself'.

Speaking to Newsnight he said: 'I've only just seen that clip...I've no appreciation of the context of anything like that. Mark will answer for himself. But it looks to be a very difficult situation for everyone concerned.'

Tory MP Sir Peter Bottomley said Mr Field had done nothing wrong.

He said: 'The woman clearly was trying to create a fuss.

'Most viewers would say it's good that she didn't succeed.'

When asked if Mr Field had been heavy-handed, Sir Peter responded: 'No, he reversed her direction and she looked as though she went willingly.

'I think there's no reason to criticise Mark Field... Of course it wasn't an assault, it was a reversal of direction.'

Later Sir Peter told the Today programme that Mr Field 'did what any sensible person would have done'.

He said she could have been 'carrying a collapsible truncheon' and 'someone needed to intervene.'

When it was put to Sir Peter the woman posed no threat, he added: 'I think the time to intervene is in advance.

'It is not an assault - you can't use the word assault, that is completely wrong and an exaggeration, and I'm very sorry you've said that.'

Tory MP Johnny Mercer tweeted: 'Try being in our shoes in the current environment.

'He panicked, he's not trained in restraint and arrest, and if you think this is 'serious violence', you may need to recalibrate your sensitivities.

'Calm down, move on, and be thankful this wasn't worse.'

It was revealed earlier this year that Mr Field has sent a letter to Commissioner Cressida Dick, where he stated that the police should take a 'firm grip' on Extinction Rebellion protesters.

Tory MP Johnny Mercer defended Mr Field, but others, including London Mayor Sadiq Khan and Labour MP Jess Phillips condemned his actions

The activists, in red evening dress with Suffragette-style sashes reading 'climate emergency'.

Greenpeace said in a statement that they intended to 'flash-mob the Chancellor's podium, hijack the microphone and give the speech we all need in a climate emergency.'

Security stepped in and ejected the women from the annual event, which is held in the City of London.

A voice off camera was heard shouting: 'You have made your point now so if you could kindly leave' after the protesters stormed the building.

The Chancellor stayed in the room while he waited for security to deal with the situation as protesters clapped and chanted.

Despite the disruption, Mr Hammond continued with his speech with a smile on his face.

The protesters were among 40 volunteers who 'gatecrashed' the Chancellor's Mansion House speech, according to Greenpeace.

Mr Field pushed the woman, wearing a red dress and a sash with a climate change message on, up against a pillar, pictured

He then grabbed her by the arm, pictured, and marched her out of the room in London

One protester was seen being led away by by a man in his black tie attire, as she looked to the floor

Greenpeace said in a statement that they intended to 'flash-mob the Chancellor's podium, hijack the microphone and give the speech we all need in a climate emergency.'

What happens now Mark Field has referred himself to the Cabinet Office? Mark Field has referred himself to the Cabinet Office 'to examine whether there has been a breach of the ministerial code.' The Tory party also confirmed today that they will conduct their own investigation into the incident. All ministers must comply with the Code of Conduct and Guidance on Procedures for Ministers produced by the Cabinet Office and endorsed by the Prime Minister. It requires Ministers to uphold the seven principles of public life: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty and leadership. According to the code, Ministers must be 'accurate and truthful' in their dealings with Parliament and comply with the principle of collective responsibility. If there is an allegation about a breach of the Code, and the Prime Minister, having consulted the Cabinet Secretary feels that it warrants further investigation, she will refer the matter to the independent adviser on Ministers' interests. The Code also extends to former Ministers with regard to their employment in the two years following leaving office and to the contents of memoirs. The Tory party probe could also lead to the party withdrawing the whip, effectively expelling an MP, but allowing them to hang on to their seat. They must sit as an independent until their party decides to restore the whip. Having the whip removed is one of the most serious forms of punishment a party can inflict on an MP. More severe punishments include permanent expulsion from the party and deselection. Advertisement

Security stepped in and ejected the women from the annual event, which is held in the City of London.

A voice off camera was heard shouting: 'You have made your point now so if you could kindly leave' after the protesters stormed the building.

The Chancellor stayed in the room while he waited for security to deal with the situation as protesters clapped and chanted.

Despite the disruption, Mr Hammond continued with his speech with a smile on his face.

The protesters were among 40 volunteers who 'gatecrashed' the Chancellor's Mansion House speech, according to Greenpeace.

Footage showed several women being ushered out of the banquet hall as attendees in black tie looked on.

A City of London Police spokesman said lass night that no arrests were made.

The force said in a statement: 'We were alerted at 9.03pm. We were called by security at Mansion House who let us know there were a group of protesters who had gained entry and were refusing to leave.

'Officers arrived to help with their ejection. Once in the presence of the police, the protesters were co-operative and left the premises.'

Later they released another statement which said: 'We have received a small number of third party reports of an assault taking place at the event. These reports are being looked into by police.'

Last night a tweet from Mr Field was unearthed where he outlined his views on women in the work place.

In the tweet, dated May 9, he said: 'The UK remains committed to helping women all over the world to feel safe and protected in the work they do, so they can speak freely and be part of the change we all want.'

Mr Field was also recently criticised for his behaviour towards Jeremy Hunt's wife, Lucia Hunt.

On June 10 he was pictured holding Mrs Hunt's head in his hands and kissing her with his eyes closed.

A tweet from Mr Field earlier this year which states his support for women being able to speak freely

They had been attending the launch of Mr Hunt's Conservative Party leadership campaign in London.

When he kissed Mrs Hunt, others around them looked shocked, while some had smiles on their faces.

Last night's incident has divided social media users.

One said: 'How do you know if this individual didn't have a device strapped to herself?

'I put myself in Mark Field's situation - literally seconds to react. If she did have a device on her, we would be looking at MF as a hero. I wonder?!'

But other users disagreed with his behaviour. One said: 'Presumably #MarkField is being questioned at the nearest police station.'

Last night's incident sparked outrage on social media, while others stepped in to defend him

Another said: 'PM hopeful & Foreign Secretary @Jeremy_Hunt needs to get a grip of this situation with his departmental colleague, Mark Field, as soon as possible.

'Quite astonishingly, several of his backers are defending Mark's behaviour towards a female protestor. A question of judgement...'

Mark Field's letter to Cressida Dick calling for police to take a 'much firmer grip' on climate change protesters Foreign Office minister Mark Field wrote a letter to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick in April. In the letter, he addresses the Extinction Rebellion protests which brought chaos and travel disruption to the streets of London earlier this year. He wrote: 'I am sure you will agree that what we have seen over the past few days goes well beyond a good-natured excersise in free speech and that the detrimental effect these protests are having on ordinary citizens and local business is much too great for the protesters, however well intentioned to be allowed in such a flagrant way.' In the letter, he addresses the Extinction Rebellion protests which brought chaos and travel disruption to the streets of London earlier this year He went on to say that he didn't underestimate the challenge police were facing and that he was 'very grateful' for its efforts so far. 'I should be most grateful if, as a matter of urgency, you would take a much firmer grip on this problem and for the law to be applied to its full extent against those who, despite fair warning, insist on protesting in this anti-social way.' Advertisement

Another user, observing the behaviour of the people around Mr Field said: 'Noticeably, no-one applauded him'.

Another user Sian Ifans said: 'Presumably #MarkField is being questioned at the nearest police station as we mourn over the greatest setback to women's rights in 200 years.'

This is while other users took Mr Field's side and noted that it hadn't been clear what the woman had intended to do.

One Twitter user, James Cook said everyone had been 'quick to judge' Mr Field for his behaviour.

He added: 'I reckon that protester was planning some pretty offensive tweets later.'

Bob Dee tweeted that the situation was 'nonsense'.

'There's no 'strangling', the protesters weren't going to walk out meekly, and Mark Field is at the very reasonable end of the Tory MP spectrum'.

Another added that the woman had broke int Mansion House and had been marching towards Mark Field and labelling him a 'hero' for grabbing her as it could have been an attack.

After the protesters were escorted out last night Mr Hammond said: 'The irony is that this is Government that has just led the world by committing to a zero carbon economy by 2050.'

The comment was met with applause.

Continuing his speech Hammond said he couldn't imagine a Conservative and Unionst-led government, 'actively pursuing a no-deal Brexit willing to risk the union and our economic prosperity.'

He added: 'I will fight, and fight again, to remake the case for pragmatism and, yes, for compromise in our politics - to ensure an outcome that protects the union and the prosperity of the United Kingdom.'

Touching on the leadership campaign, he added that the UK's politics are 'not in such good shape'.

He said: 'It may be that I'm wrong, and a new leader will persuade Parliament to accept the deal it has already rejected, or that the European Union does a 180-degree U-turn and reopens the Withdrawal Agreement.

'If your plan A is undeliverable, not having a plan B is like not having a plan at all,' he added.

Mr Hammond, who has not declared who he is backing, called for the would-be premiers to be 'honest with the public'.

In a hint at the possibility of a second referendum, he said: 'If the new prime minister cannot end the deadlock in Parliament, then he will have to explore other democratic mechanisms to break the impasse.

Mr Field had also been criticised recently for kissing Jeremy Hunt's wife Lucia Hunt, at an event in London

'Because if he fails, his job will be on the line - and so too will the jobs and prosperity of millions of our fellow citizens.'

He also said that the parliamentary arithmetic will not change unless there is an election, Parliament will block No Deal, and will not support the withdrawal deal as it stands.

Last night a letter from MP Mark Field to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Cressida Dick was unearthed, in which he calls on police to take a 'much firmer grip' on climate change activists.

In the letter, dated 18 April 2019, he addresses the Extinction Rebellion protests which had taken place across London earlier this year.

The activists were seen inside Mansion House and had managed to mingle amongsnt the tables

Greenpeace activist were seen being led down the stairs at Mansion House. No police action is said to have been taken agaisnt the women

In it he said: 'I am sure you will agree that what we have seen over the past few days goes well beyond a good-natured excercise in free speech and that the detrimental effect these protests are having on ordinary citizens and local business is much too great for the protesters, however well intentioned to be allowed in such a flagrant way.'

He went on to say that he didn't underestimate the challenge police were facing and that he was 'very grateful' for its efforts so far.

'I should be most grateful if, as a matter of urgency, you would take a much firmer grip on this problem and for the law to be applied to its full extent against those who, despite fair warning, insist on protesting in this anti-social way.'

The letter above from Mr Field to Cressida Dick which states that a 'firm grip' need to be taken on climate change protesters

Signing off the letter, he thanked her for her assistance and that he looked forward to hearing from her.

In reponse to his behaviour, Greenpeace UK also tweeted their response, they said: 'Instead of assaulting peaceful women protesters, @MarkFieldUK would be better off spending his time tackling the #ClimateEmergency'

After the Chancellor's speech the Governor of the Bank of England, Mark Carney joined the stage - where he was met with applause.

During the speech Governor Carney talked about a new emerging economy, which would be driven by changes in technology.

He said: 'This new economy requires a new finance: one that serves the digital economy, is more efficient, inclusive, sustainable and resilient. And, this new finance demands a new Bank of England.'

Greenpeace UK tweeted its respose to Mr Field's actions during the dinner this evening

One woman had a letter in her hand as she was escorted out of the building which is in the City of London

Governor of the Bank of England Mark Carney during the annual Bankers and Merchants Dinner at Mansion House in London

Areeba Hamid, climate campaigner for Greenpeace UK, said: 'This is a climate emergency. Business as usual is no longer an option.

'The real bottom line, the priority that needs to come before all others, is not profit, revenue or growth, but survival. That needs to be recognised in every boardroom and on every balance sheet, starting with the Chancellor's.

'The people in this room have been funding climate change, and we're not giving the banks and hedge funds a pass for their unethical investment decisions anymore. The Treasury is the Government's banker.

'It plays the same role propping up vested interests and blocking progress on climate change.

'But science demands a radical programme of policy interventions and public investment if our economy is to survive the coming storm. The serious, sensible, grey-suited grown-ups in the room ignored the warning signs and crashed the economy in 2008. We can't afford to let them crash the climate too.'

After the speech Mr Hammond tweeted that he was 'always open to debate' following the protests

Greenpeace UK replied almost immediately and said he hadn't shown the leadership to take real action agaisnt the Climate Emergency

After the speech Mr Hammond tweeted: 'Proud to underline UK's world leading commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 tonight at #MansionHouse. Always open to the debate.'

In response to this Greenpeace UK tweeted: 'Actually, you've sought to water down and delay government action on climate change in recent weeks! It's not a question of debate - the science is clear. What we need is real action to tackle this #ClimateEmergency and you haven't shown the leadership required to do that.

'Wrong on every level': Furious Brexiteers turn on Chancellor Philip Hammond as he backs second referendum as option to break deadlock and vows to 'fight and fight' against No Deal

Tory Eurosceptic MPs attacked Philip Hammond earlier today prior to the Chancellor's speech this evening to urge the next prime minister to consider holding a second Brexit referendum.

The Chancellor told City of London chiefs that Theresa May's deal remains the best way for the UK to leave the EU in an orderly fashion.

He suggested that if that deal cannot get through Parliament then Mrs May's successor will have to consider 'other democratic mechanisms' to resolve the impasse.

The Chancellor (pictured leaving Parliament on June 18) is a vocal opponent to a No Deal divorce from the EU and this evening he will reiterate his intention to 'fight' such a move

He also vowed to 'fight and fight' against No Deal in comments seen as a direct challenge to Boris Johnson, the frontrunner to be the next Tory leader, who has suggested he would take the UK out of the EU on October 31 with or without an agreement.

The intervention sparked fury among Tory Brexiteers who are vehemently opposed to holding a second referendum.

Simon Clarke, a Conservative Eurosceptic MP, said: 'This is wrong on every level. Wrong because it would shatter faith in politics.

'Wrong because it would usher in a ruinous Government led by Jeremy Corbyn.

'And wrong because it would not bring resolution to the issue - if a second referendum, why not a third? Terrible.'

Mr Hammond's strong opposition to No Deal raises the prospect of him voting with Labour to bring down a government led by Mr Johnson if it sought to pursue a disorderly split from the bloc.