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.

Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Show all 10 1 /10 Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field marches a protester out of the hall after pushing her up against a pillar as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field turns to push a protester up against a wall as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field pushes a protester up against a wall as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field pushes a protester up against a wall as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field pushes a protester up against a wall as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field grabs the neck of a protester as members of Greenpeace disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field marches a protester out of the hall after pushing her up against a pillar as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field marches a protester out of the hall after pushing her up against a pillar as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field marches a protester out of the hall after pushing her up against a pillar as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News Tory MP Mark Field manhandles climate protester: In pictures Tory MP Mark Field marches a protester out of the hall after pushing her up against a pillar as Greenpeace protesters disrupt a speech by chancellor Philip Hammond at Mansion House in London on June 20 ITV News

MP Mark Field slams woman against pillar at banquet

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.