FOOTAGE has emerged of Britain's chief medical officer Professor Chris Whitty being 'harassed' by two men who approached him for a photo in a London park.
One of men can be seen wrapping his arm around Whitty's shoulder, before the CMO attempts to escape the grasp.
They laugh as they cling on to him, posing for their camera while Whitty looks increasingly uncomfortable and worried by the situation.
Eventually, a voice - thought to be from a passer-by - can be heard telling the men to "leave this gentleman alone".
On the Great British Breakfast this morning we'll be discussing this video of Professor Chris Whitty.
What are your thoughts? Tweet your reply or email [email protected] pic.twitter.com/jsekQtJfFQ— GB News (@GBNEWS) June 29, 2021
Prime Minister Boris Johnson condemned the incident on social media, describing the two men as "thugs".
"I condemn the behaviour of these thugs. Our hard-working public servants should not have to face this kind of intimidation on our streets and we will not tolerate it."
Police are understood to be investigating the incident.
Public reaction to the footage was fierce with many calling for the two men to be punished and even jailed for their behaviour.
"Utterly disgusting behaviour. Those lads should be arrested for intimidation and harassment," one social media user wrote.
"Poor Chris Whitty, he looks so uneasy. Why are some people such d***s sometimes?" Asked another.
But others thought the incident was blown out of proportion.
"That's not a headlock! They were just being friendly. Everyone needs to calm down," wrote one Twitter user.
Another said: "I think the lads came across as friendly. Maybe a bit too friendly, and, possibly, a bit tipsy - the kind of friendliness you get in a pub, with friends. But I understand he was scared, as he expected the worst."
