Damian Green MP says calling protester Steve Bray an obscenity was "the most popular thing I've done in years"
Published: 16:01, 15 March 2019
Updated: 11:38, 16 March 2019
An MP has said that calling a protestor an obscene word was "the most popular thing I've done in years".
Footage emerged yesterday of Ashford MP Damian Green using a profane word to describe avid Remainer Steve Bray.
The exchange came after Mr Bray - known for shouting "stop Brexit" over televised interviews - disrupted a discussion between Mr Green and the press.
Scroll down for video of MP's confrontation with Brexit protester
Often found on College Green opposite the Houses of Parliament, the rare coin dealer from Port Talbot is instantly recognisable for his blue top hat and Union Jack cape.
Frequently jumping into the background of broadcasts, Mr Bray says he was simply demonstrating his democratic right when he questioned the Kentish politician yesterday.
Mr Green has responded, telling KentOnline that he was exercising his right to freedom of speech.
He said: "He quite deliberately goes out and tries to shout over people to disrupt interviews. His attempt to pose as a victim is preposterous, and it's about time that somebody said so.
"My views are that he's a bully and he's spent the last year using a megaphone to shout down people during TV interviews. I just told him what I thought of him and I discovered that it's the most popular thing I've done in years.
"If I wasn't being vulgar, the words I would have politely used is 'bully' or 'narcissist'.
"It's interesting that what he didn't put on social media was the second incident when he thrust the phone in my face and started interrogating me about my comments.
"I retracted the word I used and instead said he was a bully and a narcissist.
"I think it's an interesting insight into the man - that he tried again to harass me on the street and didn't put that video on social media.
"We do have that right to reply. I discovered that when I exercised it and some took outrage but the vast majority were supportive - a lot of people have come and said it's time someone said something. It's a free country and we are allowed to speak our minds. Free speech is a great thing for the country."
When Mr Bray suggested at the time that the obscene term constituted abuse, Mr Green replied: "I think that was analysis. Political analysis which I stand by."
The video of their exchange has been seen more than 370,000 times since it was uploaded yesterday.
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