Phillips accused of 'making excuses' for masked gang

Jess Phillips has been accused of “making excuses for masked men shouting, abusing and intimidating members of the media”, after gangs of men in balaclavas turned out in Birmingham on Monday night.

- MILLIE COOKE

Former home secretary James Cleverly called for the home office minister to “think about the consequences” of her words after the Labour MP for Birmingham Yardley tweeted about violent scenes in her constituency.

Large groups of men, some sporting Palestinian flags, gathered outside a mosque in the Bordesley Green area after rumours circulated that the far right were planning on targeting it. Footage later in the evening showed a number of incidents involving the masked men, some attacking passing cars and in another incident setting upon a man outside a pub.

A man with a knife attacked a Sky News van as the TV crew attempted to leave the area after being told they were not welcome, reporter Becky Johnson later said. Ms Johnson was interrupted by a protester on a motorbike who swore and made rude gestures at the camera while attempting to deliver a live report in Birmingham.