British Prime Minister Boris Johnson is coming under fresh criticism for the Jimmy Savile smear he aimed at Opposition leader Keir Starmer after the Labour leader was targeted by a group of protesters near parliament.
Mr Starmer faced baseless allegations of "protecting paedophiles" and chants about the sex offender from protesters before being bundled into a police car for protection.
Former Cabinet minister Julian Smith said Mr Johnson must withdraw the Savile slur for the sake of Mr Starmer's security in the wake of the incident this evening.
Police officers stepped in to protect the Opposition leader as the group, some protesting against Covid measures, followed him from outside Scotland Yard.
What happened to Keir Starmer tonight outside parliament is appalling. It is really important for our democracy & for his security that the false Savile slurs made against him are withdrawn in full.
— Julian Smith MP (@JulianSmithUK) February 7, 2022
On at least two videos posted to social media, a man and a woman were heard shouting about Savile to the Labour leader, as he walked with shadow foreign secretary David Lammy.
At least one person was heard repeatedly shouting about "protecting peadophiles".
Last week, an under-pressure Mr Johnson accused Mr Starmer of having "used his time prosecuting journalists and failing to prosecute Jimmy Savile".
The behaviour directed at the Leader of the Opposition tonight is absolutely disgraceful. All forms of harassment of our elected representatives are completely unacceptable.
— Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) February 7, 2022
I thank the police for responding swiftly.
Making no reference to those comments, Mr Johnson has tonight said that the "behaviour directed at" Mr Starmer is "absolutely disgraceful".
He added that "all forms of harassment of our elected representatives are completely unacceptable".
This evening Mr Smith, who previously served as Mr Johnson's Northern Ireland secretary, tweeted: "What happened to Keir Starmer tonight outside parliament is appalling.
"It is really important for our democracy & for his security that the false Savile slurs made against him are withdrawn in full."
Chris Bryant, the Labour MP who chairs the Commons Committee on Standards, said: "This is appalling. People were shouting all sorts at Keir, including 'Jimmy Savile'.
"This is what happens when a Prime Minister descends into the gutter and recycles lies from hard-right conspiracy theorists. Political poison has an effect. Johnson has no moral compass."
Labour's Angela Eagle tweeted: "Proud of yourself stoking up the worst Internet conspiracy theories PM? Disgusting new low."
Scotland Yard said two arrests were made following clashes between police and protesters on the Victoria Embankment after Mr Starmer was taken to safety.
This is appalling. People were shouting all sorts at Keir, including "Jimmy Savile".
— Chris Bryant (@RhonddaBryant) February 7, 2022
This is what happens when a prime minister descends into the gutter and recycles lies from hard-right conspiracy theorists. Political poison has an effect. Johnson has no moral compass. https://t.co/pC2msvYsZW
A Metropolitan Police statement said: "Shortly after 5.10pm on Monday, February 7, a man who had been surrounded by a group of protesters near to New Scotland Yard, was taken away from the scene by a police car.
"A man and a woman were arrested at the scene for assault of an emergency worker after a traffic cone was thrown at a police officer.
"They have been taken into custody."
Scottish First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has said the if Mr Johnson "has any decency at all" he would say sorry for "choosing to weaponise online conspiracy theories against opponents".
"If he has any decency at all, the PM will now apologise unreservedly," she said on Twitter.
Footage posted to social media showed Piers Corbyn, the Covid-19 conspiracy theorist brother of former Labour leader Jeremy, addressing the crowd before the incident and later leading chants of "resist, defy, do not comply".
Video showed Mr Starmer, surrounded by police, being followed down the street while being targeted with shouts of "why aren't you opposing?" and "traitor".
"Why did you go after Julian Assange, why did you go after journalists?" one man shouted.
It was understood Mr Starmer was not harmed during the incident.
After he was taken to safety, an officer was called a "pathetic little thug" during angry exchanges.
Protesters were seen displaying signs opposing mandatory vaccination and the use of restrictions to prevent Covid-19 deaths.
