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Remain protester Steve Bray reacts to Ashford MP Damian Green

By: Charlie Harman

Published: 13:53, 15 March 2019

Updated: 14:09, 15 March 2019

An activist insulted by a Kent MP has spoken out about the incident, saying that at the time he thought "this is gold".

In a video published yesterday, Damian Green - MP for Ashford - is seen using an obscenity in reference to remain protester Steve Bray.

The vocal Brexit opponent rose to prominence in 2017, and has become famous for getting in the background of TV interviews.

Remain campaigner Steve Bray was called an obscenity by Ashford MP of 22 years, Damian Green. Picture: SODEM Action (7810464)

Often seen wearing a blue top hat and Union Jack cape, Mr Bray also uses loudspeakers to interrupt televised discussions.

It was these actions that led to Mr Green calling the Port Talbot man a derogatory term after a disrupted chat with the press.

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Footage captured at the time was released on Twitter yesterday by the Stand of Defiance European Movement, an anti-Brexit group founded by Mr Bray two years ago.

Speaking about the video, which has been seen more than 315,000 times, Mr Bray said: "Because I was filming it and live streaming it, I thought 'This is gold'. I said that I might be thinking it of you, but I know better than to say it.

"I talked to Jacob Rees-Mogg when he made a statement outside Stephen's entrance, we shook hands and he said 'it's your democratic right'.

"Rees-Mogg is a gentleman but on the other hand, Damian Green just came across as nasty and to call me that wasn't necessary.

"It's sad that they are resulting to abuse these days.

"I've had abuse before off other MPs. They aren't a fun bunch when they are caught off-guard and not prepared for an interview.

MP Damian Green's comments have been supported by Michael Gove and MEP for the South East Daniel Hannan.

"Now Michael Gove is backing what Damian Green said and I think these people that are selected to be leading this country, they're using playground politics with people that vote.

"It's quite shocking that these people actually think they can behave like this. They seem to think they have a right to say what they like when the public try to put them in their place.

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"They serve us, they are paid by the public purse and they should lead by example."

Indeed veteran MP Michael Gove commented on the video saying "Incisive analysis from a great man" and Conservative MEP for the South East Daniel Hannan echoed this, writing: "Well said @DamianGreen."

When asked if he could see why MPs might get annoyed by his actions, Mr Bray told KentOnline: "It's democracy in action, people will always protest against things they don't like.

"My actions are very effective in terms of saying that we can stop this, and my message is going around the world. We're telling people across the globe that we don't all want Brexit and a lot of people to want to remain.

"It's the largest political mess we've ever been in. May's going for the third meaningful vote, and it's not democracy if the people can have another say yet she can keep calling for vote after vote. Where's the democracy in that?

"At the end of the day, they serve us, we don't serve them. But all they are actually doing is serving themselves and their party."

For all the latest Brexit news, click here.

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