UK minister Mark Field suspended for grabbing protester

Mark Field has been suspended as a Foreign Office minister after grabbing and forcibly ejecting a climate activist at a political event in London.

Field, Britain's minister of state for Asia and the Pacific, was a guest at the formal black-tie dinner event at Mansion House in London on Thursday, where UK Chancellor Philip Hammond was making a keynote speech on the state of the UK economy when he was interrupted by female protesters from the Greenpeace environmental organisation.

The MP has apologised for confronting Janet Barker and marching her away as protesters interrupted a speech by Chancellor Philip Hammond.

But he said he had been "genuinely worried" she may have been armed.

Footage of the incident involving Field has been widely shared on social media, with several Labour politicians calling for him to be sacked.

A Downing Street spokeswoman said Prime Minister Theresa May had "seen the footage" and "found it very concerning".

She added that Field had "referred himself to both the Cabinet Office and the Conservative Party. He will be suspended as a minister while investigations take place."

Climate change protesters - wearing suits, red dresses and sashes with "climate emergency" written on them - entered Mansion House on Thursday night, as Hammond was beginning his speech on the state of the economy.

As Barker walked past his table, Field got up from his seat to confront one of them and forcing her towards the exit.

The Conservative MP for the Cities of London and Westminster then put a hand on the back of her neck and led her out of the room.

Before his suspension, Field told ITV News that guests had "understandably felt threatened" and he had "instinctively reacted" when Barker rushed past.

"There was no security present and I was, for a split second, genuinely worried she might have been armed," Field said.

He added: "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."