Watch: Michael Gove surrounded by angry protesters in Westminster days after Sir David Amess murder

Police officers had to protect Michael Gove when he was surrounded in the street by a furious mob of anti-lockdown protesters screaming abuse at him.

The levelling up, housing and communities secretary had to be bundled into a government building by the cops as he was walking through Westminster.

The incident came just days after Sir David Amess MP was stabbed to death at a constituency surgery in Essex.

Police protection - which was required by Mr Gove, 54 - will be offered to MPs holding meetings in public.

Shocking footage shows the activists surround the cabinet minister on Tuesday and begin screaming obscenities at him.

One shouts: “Holy s**t, Michael Gove you f*****g f***y.”

A mob quickly encircle the MP, who is walking on his own through Westminster.

Many are holding cameras and phones trying to film the experienced government minister.

He is quickly surrounded by a ring of police who are forced to push back the protesters.

The footage was captured by vlogger Paul Brown.

Mr Gove was able to take shelter in the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities in Horseferry Road.

He said: “Thank you to the Met for their swift reaction.

“I’m grateful to their officers for their thoughtfulness.”

The group of so-called activists, led by an anti-vaccine Instagram influencer called Ashley Bennett, have targeted politicians and the media several times over recent months.

They had assembled at Waterloo Station and marched across Westminster Bridge while shouting “f*** the jab”.

The group targeted the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundations London Office with conspiracy theorist Piers Corbyn, before they spotted Mr Gove and surrounded him.

A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “Officers are currently responding to a protest in Westminster this afternoon where a number of people are marching.

“During the march, the group attempted to surround a member of parliament walking on Horseferry Road, acting in a hostile manner towards him.

“Officers immediately intervened, safely escorting the MP to a nearby building. No arrests were made and we [are] reviewing footage to see if any offences took place.

“There were no injuries reported.

“A number of officers continue to escort the protest group as they march.

“Officers are working hard to minimise disruption to Londoners and to disrupt any criminal activity.”

Politicians responded in shock at the incidents.

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “The harassment and intimidation of anyone going about their daily business is completely unacceptable.

“We will expect the police to take this kind of behaviour seriously.

“While peaceful protest remains an important cornerstone of our democracy, threatening, intimidating or abusive language cannot be tolerated.’’

Shadow home secretary Nick Thomas-Symonds said: “These scenes would be unacceptable at any time, but seeing them this week is utterly appalling.”

Labour’s Yvette Cooper commented: “Completely unacceptable scenes of harassment, intimidation and abuse towards Michael Gove in the street this afternoon.

“Thank you to the police for stepping in.”

While Jess Phillips wrote: “Watched this evening as Piers Corbyn followed various MPs out of work while his fellow travellers shouted things like ‘you’ll pay for what you’ve done’.

“Great week for it.”