Newly elected Green Party MP for Gorton and Denton, Hannah Spencer, required a police escort from Piccadilly Gardens on Sunday (March 8) following chaotic scenes and clashes that erupted at an anti-far right event. Ms Spencer, who recently became the Green Party's first MP in the north of England with a decisive victory in the Gorton and Denton by-election on February 27, was taken to a waiting police car after scuffles broke out following her appearance.

The event was a demonstration organized by the Greater Manchester Together Alliance, marking the launch of its local branch. This nationwide group is actively organizing a 'March to stop the far right' in London scheduled for March 28. Anti-racism campaigners had gathered in Piccadilly Gardens for this significant launch.

Before the disturbances, Ms Spencer had addressed the Together Alliance, emphasizing a message of unity and community cohesion. She stated, "It's about a movement of people coming together, finding common ground, getting together, working together, mobilizing and defeating politics of hatred and division." She further added, "And last week we did exactly that. We showed Greater Manchester at its finest and we kicked out people who are here to stir hatred."

However, as Ms Spencer departed after her speech, footage widely circulated online captured the escalation of tensions. She was confronted and questioned by a YouTuber, who wore a 'Trans women are men' sandwich board and repeatedly asked, 'Are trans women women?' and 'Can a woman have a penis?'. Moments later, physical altercations began. Two men were seen arguing and throwing punches before a police officer intervened. Subsequently, one of these men engaged in a separate fracas with a woman, drawing in several other individuals. Further punches were exchanged in another scuffle between a group of people, some wearing hi-viz vests, prompting police to actively separate the opposing sides.

Amidst the escalating disorder, Ms Spencer was ushered by police to a waiting car outside a Burger King establishment and driven away from the scene.

The Green Party strongly condemned the incident, issuing a statement that highlighted the nature of the harassment. A spokesperson for the party stated, "Hannah was talking today in Manchester about community cohesion and unity. A few angry men, attempting to spread anti-trans bigotry, chose this moment to try to silence and harass Hannah." The party also drew attention to the "bitter irony" of the events unfolding on International Women's Day, noting that "these few men claiming to 'protect women' behaved like this towards parliament's newest female MP, chasing her to a police car." The spokesperson added that some of the abuse Ms Spencer faced echoed "misinformation and outright lies shared by her political opponents online." Reaffirming her resolve, the party asserted, "Hannah won't be silenced and will continue to speak up for the communities that she has been elected to represent."

Greater Manchester Police have been approached for comment regarding the incident.